“Naks! Momsie, top scorer,” Pia said as she jumped on my back.
We just finished our quarter final match against the FEU, having edged the V-League champs three sets to one. The Maroons had a good all around game. There was no let up in floor defense. Everyone dove to the floor, not allowing any ball to drop. We ganged up on FEU’s explosive hitters and tried to block their attacks. We executed our plays and our young setter connected well with the attackers. Everyone had a good game… we got lucky. It made a big difference that we were able to beat the Lady Tams in our last match in Season 76.
“Parang energy bar lng ‘yung suman kanina,” Nicole pointed out. “Bili tayo nun uli bukas.”
“Pero iba ‘yung taas ng lundag ng isa dito.” Yen gave me a nudge. “Nakalutang pa din hanggang ngayon.”
“May nasinghot na ibang hangin ‘yan. Ayaw matanggal ang ngiti,” Arylle said and threw a pillow to my face.
I threw the pillow back to Arylle. “Ako nanaman nakita nyo,” I complained. “Hoy! Ako ‘yung senior nyo dito. Dapat nererespeto nyo ako.”
“Nahhhh!” they all shouted and threw their pillows at me. The hotel staff were looking at us attentively probably making sure to account just in case we break anything.
“Paano naman kasi, adik ang peg mo ngayon. Ang ngiti mo parang timang,” Hannah added.
“Pagbiyan nyo na ‘yan. Top scorer naman eh.” Kathy tried to settle the issue. “Happy tayo na maganda ang laro natin pero syempre mashappy tayo na inspired ang laro ni Ate Neta.” She puts her arms in my shoulders and said, “Jogging kayo uli bukas.”
Ok na sana… humirit pa.
“Kumpleto na ba tayo?” I asked, looking at each one.
“Tsipmunks, present!” shouted Yen and Julie.
“Orig na Baby present, Momsie,” Pia said. “’Yung mga ampon na iniwan sa gate ng Diliman, ayan na din.” Pointing to Jewel, Caca and Arielle who looked restless.
“Power Puff girls, present,” Tanika, Monica and Nicole said and waved their hands.
“Team Tanders!” Hannah laughed while pointing at me and Arylle.
“Ah ganun pala, Skeletor,” Arylle retorted and everyone else laughed. Hannah sank in her seat and glared at Arylle.
Alyssa placed her arm on Kathy’s shoulders. “Beauty and the Beast tayo?”
“Roundhouse kick gusto mo?” Kathy threatened Alyssa. “Tanders, kayo bahala sa mga babies. Huwag nyong pabayaan ‘yung orig na baby at konti na lang magtatampo na ‘yan. Nagkaka middle child syndrome na si Pia. Sa basketball muna tayo sa may Silliman. Tapos na ‘yung men’s volleyball. Three groups tayo kasi hindi tayo kasya sa trike.”
While getting ready to leave, we saw UST’s middle blocker was half running towards us. “Niks! Niks! Sama ako.” All the Maroons turned to Ria, not so sure who she was referring to… Nicole, Monica or Tanika. She was still catching her breath as she stood in front of us.
“Saan ka pupunta?” I asked, a bit surprised.
“Sasama sa inyo.” She grinned, finally able to breathe.
YOU ARE READING
A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED
Fiksi PenggemarBetween being an athlete and law student, there is hardly time for anything else. You train... you go to class... you practice with the team... in between, you either study or you cram. If you get lucky, maybe you'll find time to have a life as we...
