BOTOLAN, Zambales — Local athletes brought home pride and glory from the Palarong Pambansa with huge victories in volleyball, as well as athletics, in the 17-region multi-sports competition held recently in Ilocos Norte.

The Danacbunga Elementary School Volleyball Girls Team from Botolan town shone the brightest by emerging champion in volleyball elementary girls and clinching the gold under the Patriots banner for the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA).

The homegrown team also produced outstanding players during the competition: Venus Anne M. de Guia, Most Valuable Player and Best Opposite Hitter, volleyball elementary girls; and Leanne Gail Diesta, Best Setter, volleyball elementary girls.

The team’s coach, Joan Belenzo, was also named Best Coach for volleyball elementary girls.

Meanwhile, another local athlete, James Michael D. Bernabe of San Miguel, Botolan, brought home another gold in volleyball secondary boys. Bernabe played for the CLRAA Patriots with teammates from San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

The Patriots wrested victory from Central Visayas with the score of 25-14, 30-32, 25-18 during the championship game at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

In athletics, another Botoleño, Tajh Marshall of Bangan Capayawan Integrated School, won the silver medal in elementary boys 100m and 4x100m relay.

The athletes and their coaches received local honors in a meeting with Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., along with Botolan Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane, and other local government and sports officials at Balin Sambali on June 17. 