Air Ball

I: Lucky Day

His POV

Today is the PBA Rookie Draft Day. It's been my childhood dream to play in the PBA and today, a wide door of opportunity will be open for all young hopefuls like me. I've been told by many and have read from sports articles that I have a huge possibility of being a first-round draft pick. Of course it feels good to hear those words but a possibility is still a possibility, and definitely not a guarantee. There is an abundance of talent in this year's rookie pool. Each one of us has our own skill set which we developed from our collegiate careers and the PBA D-League. I read the applicants' list over and over again and can't help but feel slightly nervous of the possibility of not being drafted at all.

I woke up before sunrise to go for a morning run. Running has always been therapeutic for me especially when a lot of things are going through my head. Wearing my Kobe 8 and setting my music player on shuffle, I started running. The slight breeze felt so good in the morning. I was on the middle of my run when a smile crept on my face as the first notes of the song played. Somehow, I took this song as a sign of a good day ahead. I couldn't help but sing along in my head.

"I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire. 'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar" Memories of my collegiate year played like a montage before my eyes. The crowd, the Yellow Jackets' drumbeats and cheers, The Salinggawi Dance Troupe, our bobblehead faces, I miss it all. Even now that I am about to take a leap towards the pros, I still feel the love and support from the Thomasian community through their "Good luck!" and encouraging tweets.

After my run, I went into the house and instantly smelled the bacon being cooked from the kitchen. "Wow, ma. You're cooking breakfast today." I told my mom when I saw her in her yellow apron. Usually, it was the household help who would cook brekfast.

"Of course, hijo. It's a special day today. Now go get changed. Breakfast will be ready in a few." she told me.

Jeron was already up when I got to our room. "I knew you were going to go for a run today." he chuckled. "Don't worry about later, bro. I'm one-hundred percent sure you'll be drafted later." he added as he taoped my shoulder.

"Thanks, bro." I replied as he left the room. After changing to a clean shirt, I went down to the dining area..

"Anak, are you ready for later?" my dad asked me while we were having breakfast.

"Yes, dad. Just feeling some jitters, I guess." I answered.

"That's normal, anak. I remember the feeling I had when I was waiting for my name to be called."

"Really, dad? You still remember? That was a long time ago." Almira laughed as he teased our dad about his age.

"Al, your father's not that old. He's old but not in the memory loss stage yet" our mom said as she joined the teasing.

"You ladies are ganging up on me. Don't I get any reinforcement from my boys?" Dad looked at us.

"Sorry, dad. It was mom who made breakfast." Jeron answered as he munched on the bacon.

"Just remember, Jeric. It won't matter if you're a first-round, second-round, or a fifth-round pick. or what team picked you first. What matters most is that you get drafted. And from there, give your all to the team and work your way towards constant improvement" our dad advised.

"Yes, dad. I'll keep that in mind. I know I still have a long way to go." I replied.

"And besides, if you don't make it in the PBA, I'm sure the showbiz world will be so glad to have you. Who knows, you might have your own Bench Body billboard along EDSA." Almira joked.