Breakthroughs within Barriers (Youth Series #4)

03

#BWB03

"Sila ba makakalaban natin?" I asked. I saw them at the bleachers watching the game too.

"Yeah. Our long time rival, St. Townlakes Academy high," sagot ni Karina

"After ng game ng La Salle at UST ay sila ang makakaharap natin sa semis," sabi ni Aubrey

We're here at the Mall of Asia arena watching the UAAP Women's volleyball finals. It's UST vs La Salle. UST is ahead of the game, down to one set away before they earn the spot for the finals. Kung sakaling mapunta kami sa finals ay isa sa kanila ang makakalaban namin. They are both strong schools, we might not stand a chance.

"I thought La Salle would win over UST," sabi ni Nicole sa tabi ko

"Mahina La Salle this year. Ang daming nawala sa kanilang magagaling eh."

"Hindi pa naman tapos ang game. Set two palang at pwede pa silang makahabol," sabi ni Karina

"Sino sa tingin niyo ang mananalo? Ako team green!" si Nicole

"Golden tigresses ako," sabi naman ni Aubrey

"We need to get the crown back to us," mariin kong sabi

"Go UST! Go UST!" the audience cheered loudly

"DLSU Animo La Salle! Go La Salle!" sigaw ng katabi namin

Half of the audience are wearing yellow shirts while half are green to support their school. The crowd never cheered this much loud unlike last season. Mas marami na ngayon ang sumusuporta sa women's volleyball ngayon at nalalapit na ulit ang finals.

"Well, we almost earned the spot for the finals...kung hindi dahil—" Karina paused when Nicole interrupted her

"Hey, we did our best. It's not our fault," Nicole said

"Isang set nalang eh, natalo pa tayo," mariin niyang sabi

"Maybe it's not for us—"

"It's my fault. I'm to blame," I cut them off

Umawang ang labi ni Nicole. Karina just sighed and continued to watch the game.

"Sorry for letting you guys down," kalmado kong sabi habang nanonood

Sobrang dikit na ng laban. Only one point left then UST will win this set. The crowd cheered louder but I was drowned in my own thoughts of the incident last season.

I took a deep breath and looked at the score board above. My team mates are already in position. Karina looked at me and told me to calm down. I was in the serving position. I can see my team mates facing our opponent on the other side of the net. The score is 24-25. Ang kalaban namin ang nangunguna. If I fail to serve this ball on the other side of the net, then we'll lose...but if I succeed, there's a chance for us to change the momentum of the game. This is our last chance. If we lose this set, then we'll not be able to make it to the finals. There's no room for error. This point is very crucial for us.

I stared at the ball. The cheers of the crowed kept ringing inside my head. Sa kabilang tainga ko ay naririnig ko ang cheers sa team ko at sa kabila naman ang kalaban namin. They keep on shouting 'boo!' at our team. It made me feel more pressured and nervous. Malakas ang kalaban namin. Ilang beses na silang nakakapasok sa finals.

Our coach is just beside me, just a few meters outside the court. He shouted at me, telling me to calm down. I nodded and held the ball tightly. Nakita ko din ang mga iba kong team mates na nakaupo sa likod ni coach. Some of them are praying while the others were watching me intently. Halata ang kaba sa mukha nila. I know how much they want to win this. I don't want to disappoint them. Ayokong ako ang magpatalo sa team ko lalo na ako din ang team captain nila.