That Volleyball Player

25

The tension inside the Maracanãzinho is electric as the two teams step onto the court. Kahit nanonood lang ako sa live coverage, ramdam pa din ang kaba at tensyon. The crowd buzzes with excitement, waiting for the opening serve. The referee raises a hand, blows the whistle, and the match is underway.

Isang malakas na jump serve mula kay Addison ang lumipad sa ibabaw ng net. Maayos itong natanggap ng Team Brazil—napakagandang pasa papunta sa setter. Itinaas nito ang bola patungo sa outside hitter na biglang tumalon ng mataas at pinakawalan ang isang napakalakas na spike.

But an incredible dig from Fernandez keeps the rally alive. Perpektong umangat ang bola sa hangin, at mabilis na sumugod si Addison sa ilalim nito upang magbigay ng mabilis na set sa gitna. Tumalon ng mataas si Ruiz sa ibabaw ng net, isang malakas na palo ang dumiretso pababa sa court ng kalaban. Point for Team Philippines! The crowd erupts as teammates celebrate the explosive play.

Ngayon ay nasa match point na. Sandaling natahimik ang arena habang tumitindi ang tensyon. Muling naghanda si Addison para sa serve. The whistle blows—serve is up!

Maayos itong nasalo ng Team Brazil. Ipinasa ng setter ang bola sa outside hitter. Tumalon ang hitter para umatake— pero napigilan! Isang napakalakas na block mula sa Team Philippines, courtesy of Ruiz and Axeia, ang nagbalik ng bola diretso sa court ng Team Brazil.

At doon natapos na ang laban! Panalo ang Team Philippines!

Sumabog sa hiyawan ang buong arena habang nag takbuhan ang mga manlalaro papunta sa court upang magdiwang. I smiled, feeling proud, while staring at them on the monitor.

–

"Nice game, coach." salubong ko kay Coach Ran the moment she entered, I stood up on the sofa and gently tapped her shoulder. "The set up, approach and jump and the spikes, your players improved a lot. Pwede na, pwede ka nang mag-retire at mag-asawa."

Coach Ran gaped at me for a few minutes, bago ako pabirong binatukan. "Gaga kang bata ka, anong ginagawa mo dito? Bored ka ba at dumaan ka pa dito sa Brazil para lang mang-asar?" Nakapamewang pa itong humarap sakin. "O andito ka lang para lumandi? Sinasabi ko sa'yo Ezra, may dalawa pa kaming games. Hindi makapaghintay yern?"

I briefly glanced at the television and noticed that a match between Bulgaria and Italy was currently being broadcast, the screen alive with bright stadium lights, the crowd roaring in the background, and the players moving swiftly across the field as the commentators excitedly narrated every pass and play.

"Pinuri ka na nga, tapos sermon lang igaganti mo?" sagot ko dito. "Okay, sasabihin ko na lang kay Mommy itinaboy mo ako agad, kaya hindi ko nabigay ang paborito mong hopia na pinadala niya." tatango-tango kong turan habang itinataas ang hawak kong paper bag. "Sayang, tatlong box pa naman ito, tapos inihabol pa sakin ni Mommy sa airport." Mabilis na hinablot ni Coach ang paper bag at sinilip ang laman. "Down bad talaga." I whispered.

Before Coach Ran could even respond, the other players had already started closing in on me one by one, their footsteps quick and purposeful. Some wore looks of concern, others curiosity, and a few seemed tense, as if bracing for what might happen next, their eyes fixed on me while the air grew thick with anticipation.