Whispers of the War

Kabanata 26

KABANATA 26.

Best friend.

            FOR A MONTH, I was focused on our training camp. Ni-hindi ko nga mahawakan ang phone ko dahil masyado akong abala. Siguro ay nahahawakan ko lang ang phone ko kapag matutulog na.

We spent two weeks on Baguio and another two weeks on Laguna. I can say that this is one of my hardcore trainings. I want to do good on my last playing year. Even if the coaches said that I’m doing good so far, I still need to satisfy myself.

After four weeks in different environment, we returned to our usual training place, on the school’s gym. Another week of training but this time, we will have practice games with other schools for five days.

I know I did great on our training camp, halos hindi na nga ako umuwi dahil ayaw kong tigilan ang training. My crave to be at my best became even more intense now.

After our training camp, I meet up with my girl friends. Busy na sila sa final year namin maliban kay Rafa na nasa second year pa lang dahil nag-switch siya ng course. We hang out for the whole day.

Pinagsabihan din nila ako na ‘wag masyadong magpapagod. Pero matigas ang ulo ko. the next week, I visited the men’s volleyball team. They were having their casual practices. Walang mga coach kaya sumali ako.

This is what I learned throughout my volleyball career. I’ve been playing since elementary, same position ever since. I know that every spikers have different speed, angel, and force when they spike the ball. And my job is to pick up the ball as many as I can.

I want to get used to speed spikes and heavy spikes. And training with the men’s volleyball team is a good decision. They have different strength when spiking. Mas mataas din silang tumalon dahil mas matangkad sila.

I trained with them for three days. Hindi ko alam kung sapat ba iyon pero alam ko na nag-improve naman ang stamina ko kakalaro kasama ang mga lalaking volleyball players. Halos maghapon kaming naglalaro, umaga hanggang gabi. Mga wala silang kapaguran!

“Kapag hindi ka pa ang naging Best Receiver next season, magwawala talaga ako,” pagbibiro ng setter ng men’s volleyball team noong last day ko sa pakikipaglaro sakanila.

“’Wag ka nga, baka maniwala ako,” natatawang sabi ko. Ginulo niya ang buhok ko at nginitian ako.

“Good luck, Adi. Manonood kami ng mga laro niyo,” sabi niya. Sumang-ayon naman ang mga teammates niya na mga kalaro ko.