Knock, knock.
Alyssa turned the knob of her Tito Jo's office door after knocking and entered the room. She was surprised to see a familiar face.
"Coach Nes!" she said excitedly.
"Kamusta na Phenom?" said their visitor. Coach Ernesto Pamilar is the head coach of their company's PSL team.
"Huwag mo na kong tawagin niyan Coach. Limot na yan."
"Not unless you bring her back to the court," Aly's uncle said while wearing a meaningful smile on his face.
"Now I know where this is heading. Sorry 'To. N-O. No," Aly said.
"Umupo ka muna, Alyssa. Coach Nes has something to tell you."
She obliged but she really wants to get out of the room now.
"Phenom, napansin mo naman siguro. Simula nung huminto ka sa paglalaro, dalawang taon nang tigang ang team. Four seasons ng walang championship. Hindi na rin ito as popular sa mga fans," told Coach Nes.
"I don't have anything to do with that, Coach."
"Yes you do. The team misses your leadership and of course yung play mo. I want you to get back to the team."
"Coach, ang dami naman diyan na magaling. My volleyball career had already ended. Huwag niyo na kong ipilit diyan. Isa pa, ang tagal ko ng natengga."
"Volleyball never closed its door on you. You ended your career. C'mon Aly. You're like what? 25 pa lang? Hindi mo pa nga nareach yung prime ng career mo. Ang laki laki na ng volleyball ngayon that even a UAAP career won't be enough to define a player," said Coach Nes.
Tito Jo joined the conversation. "Alam naman namin na may magagaling din. But there's no one like you. Actually, the company needs you to play. VP ka sa marketing department natin kaya alam kong aware ka that the sales are dropping. Nung nasa team ka, alam mo naman kung gaano kalaki ang hatak mo sa mga fans na 'slash' consumers natin. Lagi nilang nababanggit ang company sa social media sites kaya sort of endorsement na rin iyon ng kumpanya. You have this charisma that no other player has."
"Lakas mo ding mambola, ano tito?"
"Hindi bola yun. I am just stating a fact. Consumer psychologist ka kaya alam kong alam mo what the consumers/fans want. They want you."
"What if I don't get my game back? E di nadisappoint ko lang kayong lahat. Two years na kong walang laro," said Aly who is really trying now to change the minds of the guys in front of her.
"But it seems to me you're still in shape, Aly. I actually saw you hitting the gym last week," pambubuko ni Tito Jo.
"Isa pa, once a player, always a player. Alam mo yan. Na kapag naacquire mo yung skill, it stays. Kailangan lang ilabas ulit through practice," habol ni Coach Nes.
After a moment of silence, Coach Nes said, "The team will be meeting 2 days from now at the company gymnasium at 2pm. I'll see you there."
"Don't get your hopes too high, Coach," pangaasar ni Aly.
"Phenom, I know you miss the thrill of the sport. Don't hate volleyball. It has always been a part of your life. Remember, Volleyball Never Stops."
With that, Coach Nes stood up, smiled at Aly and Tito Jo, and left the room. Leaving Aly in deep thinking.
