Air Ball

XIII: Rooftops and Gardens (again)

JERIC

"And your Philippine Cup Champions, the San Miguel Coffee Mixers!" The announcer's voice echoed throughout the coliseum. It was like Game Three of the UAAP Finals again. Overtime. Rain Or Shine lost by two points.

I failed, again. Three of our players were injured and they were counting on us rookies to step up. It's no secret that I've been struggling to find my game here in the PBA. What I was during my collegiate year was what I could have been, but not what I am now.

"It was a game well-fought, boys." Coach Yeng said with a sullen expression. The atmosphere in the dugout was as gloomy as it was last October. "You should all be proud of yourselves. Nagkataon lang na the breaks of the game went their way. That's just how it is. But even if that was the case, you never gave up. You are champions too." He told us.

Our captain, Gabe Norwood, attempted to uplift our spirits with his speech but I guess everyone was still thinking about the loss, about how we were almost there. And how hard it must have been for Coach Yeng since he has yet to add a Philippine Cup trophy under his belt.

"Pre, three years na tayong back-to-back-to-back." Raymond joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Oo nga e. Naiimagine ko na memes natin sa internet nito." I replied. Just like the Tigers, the Knights have been the runner-up in the NCAA for the past two years.

"Baka malas tayo." We both laughed at what he said. I could also hear some of our teammates snicker as well. They were listening to our conversation.

"Banlaw banlaw din kasi kayo ng kamalasan." Paul Lee said in jest.

"Kaya mabilis natatapos magshower tong dalawang to, hindi pala nahihilod yung pagkamalas." Jeff Chan also joined in the teasing.

"Sa susunod a, kayo dapat mauuna pumasok at huling lalabas sa shower room." Ryan said. Soon enough, the air in the dugout became light and after we parted ways, our hearts weren't as heavy as when we entered.

I was met by family and Jill at the players' exit. They all said comforting words but I felt like I still needed to think over this game - to analyze what went wrong, what we lacked, what they had.

Dinner wasn't quiet but it wasn't lively either. There were light conversations here and there. Almira tried to keep everyone engaged in different topics just so we could take our minds off the game. Everyone was trying to ignore the dark cloud hanging above my head.

"Dad, Ma. I'll drive Jill home." I said to them when we got to the parking lot.

"Okay. Ingat kayo hijo, hija." My mom said to the both of us. Jill bade their goodbyes to them and we walked quietly towards my car.

Neither of us were speaking and frankly, I feel like I'm not in the mood. I must have spaced out because the next thing I noticed is Jill calling out my name.

"Sorry, what were you saying?" I asked.

"Tinatanong kita if you want to hang out sa rooftop ng building namin. Narealize ko lang I've never taken you there before." She replied.

"May exam ka tomorrow diba? I don't want to keep you up late." I said to her even though I'm tempted to take up her offer.

"Well, nakapagreview naman na kasi ako for all my subjects so skimming nalang ang gagawin ko. Pero baka you're tired na rin pala."

"Sayo pa ba ako mapapagod?" I smiled at her when we reached the stoplight.

"Cheesy mo." She commented. "Bumalik ka na nga sa pagsspace out mo."