Match Point

Chapter 1: The Preliminaries

The roar of the crowd was a living, breathing entity that filled the Araneta Coliseum, vibrating through the air and seeping into every fiber of my being. We, the Taguig City Titans, we're facing off against the Makati Mighty Kings, in a match that promised to be nothing short of epic. The stakes were high, and every point mattered.

I stood at the end of the court, my eyes scanning the opposing team, looking for the perfect spot to serve the ball. Then I see somebody familiar, someone who I had not seen in years. Last I saw him was five years ago. He was leaving our university's athlete's dormitory as he was about to migrate and finish his studies in the States. 

It's been so long since I last saw this guy. The scrawny 6'2" stature of the past is now replaced by well-defined muscles. His skin is a deep bronze, his hair is a thick, curly mass that has grown a bit wild, giving him a carefree, almost rebellious appearance. His eyes are a striking hazel and they sparkle with determination. A small tattoo of a phoenix on his right bicep, symbolizing rebirth and resilience, is one of the few visible marks of his personality and his journey. His face is a study in contrasts, with high cheekbones and a sharp nose balanced by full lips that are quick to smile or smirk. His drive is infectious, and his natural charisma starts to draw me in...again. 

The whistle of the referee blows and I serve the ball. The opposing team's Libero receives it with ease. The setter gets the perfect pass and immediately sets it to him. Zero tempo, quick play, instant point. 

This is our first game of the season facing the Makati Mighty Kings. Last season, we only met them once and he wasn't part of the team yet. They didn't make it to the play-offs and we won the championship. Now it's different. 

Earlier this year, news about a highly touted Middle Blocker previously from San Lorenzo University (SLU), returning from the states, enlisted in the National Volleyball League (NVL) Rookie Draft. I was in my condo, when I read the news. I was both happy and nervous at the same time.

"Who else could it be?"

There's only one former middle blocker from SLU that went to the states to play for UCLA - Irvine. 

"Why is he coming back now?" I muttered

"What do I do if we become team mates?" I said, as I was lying on my bed

"Does he remember what happened at the bonfire?" Nervously asking myself.

In the blink of an eye, Set 1 is already tied, 23-23. I'm at the front line. The Opposite Spiker from the other team serves the ball to my teammate, Marco Cruz. Marco is an Open Spiker that's generally known to be one of the best in his position. One of my team mates as well in the Philippine Men's National Volleyball Team, he's a 6'0" wing hitter, a former college rival of mine turned team mate. Probably the one I'm closest to in the team. We've gone through 4 championships together and won three of them, consecutively.

Marco receives the ball with such precision and sets it to our setter, Simon Lee. Simon signals me to hit from the middle while our Middle Blocker, Lyle Agustin, approaches to a slide running hit from Simon's back. Our "scissor sisters" play as I like to call it. Simon sets the ball perfectly just a few inches right above the net as I approach. The blockers from the other team, including my former team mate, get fooled and follow to block Lyle instead. I hit the ball as hard as I can. No blockers, no problem, set point!

Each point I score matters to me on a personal level. Even though I have the best support system in my team, at times I still feel the need to prove myself. Because as a shorter Opposite Spiker, there's always this pressure that builds up during our games. I've seen all the negative feedback, the bashing, and of course the jokes pertaining to my height. It's not usual for an Opposite spiker, who is expected to block and score points, to just be 5'9". 

Now it's my turn to serve. It was set point. God why do I always serve at the most crucial times. I scan the court again, zoning out the loud cheers from the crowd. I cannot make an error now. About 16,000 people are watching live, more than half of them rooting for us plus hundreds of thousands more watching on TV. I can't afford to make a service error.