Jacket
Today, is the day.
I will finally debut in this pro league here in PH. Kabadong-kabado ako kahit nagwawarm up palang kami.
"Wag kang kabahan be! Galing galing mo eh!" our kapitana Aby said.
"Bakla wag kang kabahan! Keri yan!" Marj added.
Ngumiti ako sa kanila at nagpatuloy sa warm up. I can't help but to notice how many people are here in the arena. Our team is one of the most liked and famous team here in the league. Kaya naman sobrang tuwa ko nang makuha ako.
Last Palarong Pambansa, doon ako nilapitan ng isang scout. He told me I shout try out for their team. I did it for the experience only. Hindi ko naman expected na makuha ako since I am not from some universities sa Manila and I didn't play on UAAP nor NCAA here.
"It's okay girl! You know Sabete? She's from BulSU and now playing in the PVL! Malay mo you'll be just like her!" ani kuya Jari, ang scout na sinasabi ko.
I did my extra best nung tryouts. And nagbunga naman iyon. Now, I'm a pro athlete.
"1, 2.."
"F2!" We all shouted.
Ito na! Shit!
Pinakilala na ang mga starters. I am not one of them and it's alright. Sa kaba ko ngayon, hindi pa dapat ako gawing starter.
We got the first set.
"Nice one!" I handed them their towels and bottles.
"Alejo pasok ka na. Palitan mo si Kia." ani coach Ram.
"O-opo!" Hinubad ko na ang warmer ko. I fold it properly at narinig ko ang tawanan ng mga teammates ko.
"Jah wag mo na tiklupin yan! Go na! Pakita mo kung sino ka!" sabi ni ate Aby.
"Go go beh! Dikdikin mo ang bola!"
"Go Jah!"
I smiled and breathe out. When the whistle blows, pumasok na kami sa court. I focus my mind on the game.
Unang rally, ako agad ang binigyan ng set ni Kiem. I jump high na umibabaw ako sa kamay ng mga blockers, easily spotted an open spot, then hit the ball towards there.
"Let's go!" I shouted and go to my teammates in the center.
My mood and fighting spirit has been lifted up. Nagpatuloy ito kaya naman tuwang-tuwa kami dahil sa pagkapanalo.
"Best player ka Jah! OMG!" Niyugyog ako nila ate Aby.
Nanginginig ako dahil hindi ako makapaniwala.
"Jahzara Alejo! Our best player of the game tonight. Can you tell us how you manage the nervousness you felt since it's your first game here in the league? Or wala ng kaba? Coz you just made an enormous 28 points in your debut tonight!" tinapat sa akin ng court side reporter ang mic.
I smiled.
"There was nervousness, yes. But I just focus myself, specially my mind into one goal—our team's goal which is winning."
"You really did great tonight Jahzara. What can we expect more from you? You've shown a great performance tonight. May nga dapat pa ba kaming abangan from you?"
I smiled again.
"I'm expecting more from myself too. I want to be better and better. I want to improve more. Siguro yung dapat abangan, or iexpect sa'min is the improvements that we will achieve. Every games na darating, we'll do our more than best to play and win."
