A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED

44 | team diliman

"Hindi ko na tatanungin kung sino ichicheer niyo mamaya," Bea smiled as she looked at our shirts. 

We were heading to the players locker rooms when we chanced upon the Upfront crew getting ready for the the second half of the show and found Bea who was studying her notes.

This was the first time I've seen her on the set of her show.  I was very happy for Bea that she got her hosting stint for this season's UAAP.  Who would have thought that this nerdy baller had it in her.  Her volleyball vocabulary has vastly improved since volleyball season started.  She got some tips and learned some moves from the popular volleybelles from other schools.  She got to shoot some hoops too with the likes of Kiwi who used to play basketball before converting to volleyball.  I'd love to see her try to do a lay-up or a crossover against the towering Jaja Santiago.  Did I mention that she has a mean crossover? Well, she does.

"What is it about playing in the UAAP that you miss most?" she asked as the man beside the camera signaled.

"My team mates.  You spend four or five years na halos araw araw sila 'yung kasama.  More than the game itself, being part of the team is what I miss the most," Loren seriously answered as Bea nodded her head.

"I know that feeling.  That's the part that is hardest to get over," Natasha, the other host, agreed being a former athlete herself as well.

"Ganyan na ganyan pala ang feeling pag tumatanda," Bea chuckled still reeling from the seperation anxiety.  She just ended her last season with the UP women's basketball team. 

"What about you Neta? You are still playing competitive volleyball in the semi-pro league.  Do you miss playing in the UAAP?" Natasha turned to me and asked. 

"Oo naman.  Iba pa din kasi ang laro sa collegiate level.  There's that feeling that you are playing for more than just your team or yourself," I tried to explain but couldn't quite put everything into words without being senimental... bordering sa ka cornihan.  "It's playing for your school and the community it represents.  Iba 'yung feeling me after each game you get to sing the school hymn."

Especially if it's a win coming after a series of loses.  You get all emotional kahit na medyo nakakahiya.  Si Bea nga hindi lang iyak kung hindi todo hagolgol noong na break ng UPWBT ang kanilang 25 game losing streak.  Pati 'yung boyfriend niya nakiiyak din. 

Kahit na parating nasa bottom four ang Maroons, I don't think I would have traded the experience with anything else.  Five years playing volleyball and a year with the basketball team (where Bea and I were team mates) were years well spent.  My college years wouldn"t be the same.

"It's all about school pride talaga kaya naman full support ang mga dating kapitana," Bea pointed out.  The boldly printed DILIMAN on my maroon shirt I, and Loren's black ESPAÑA shirt coudn't be any more straight forward.  "Who's going to prevail in today's second match? Will it be the ladies from Diliman or the Tigresses of España?"

"Both teams are currently tied, having the same win-loss record as we are about to end the first round of eliminations.  Last season, UP swept UST.  Will UP continue their dominance over UST or will it be revenge for the Tigresses this time around?" Natasha said trying to build the anticipation before the second game.  "Who do you think will get the W in this game?"

"Syempre gusto natin makuha uli ang panalo," I caustiously said, mindful that Loren must be scowling beside me.  "UP is a young team.  Lamang ang UST pagdating sa exwperience compared to the rookie laiden Maroons.  But I know they'll come out fighting.  I think it will matter that we are the hungrier team.  Puso lang talaga.  Patibayan na lang loob.  In Coach Jerry we trust."