End Game

IV

Five days went by so fast. Sa loob ng limang araw puro training, acads, at bahay lang ako. Pfft, yun na pala buhay ko ever since. Unlike Sol, Faye, Alex, and the rest of the team, hindi ako mahilig maglalalabas ng bahay. Hindi rin naman ako mahilig pumunta sa club o sa mall.

Everything I need nasa bahay naman. Kaya ano pang gagawin ko sa labas?

I know my life's boring but please don't judge me.

"Excited nako makalaban yung Birdy Team."

Binatukan ko si Alex dahil sa sinabi niya. Habit na niya yung pamimigay ng weird nicknames na makakalaban namin. Baka malagot pa kami pag nagkataon.

"I told you not to use that pag nasa labas tayo Alex." Suway ni Ate Chris habang nagbibihis ng jersey niya

"Ahe, excited lang talaga koooo!"

We've played with the Eaglets many times na. There's nothing to get hyped about.

"Ready Ren?" Faye asked me while we were listening to Coach's pep talk.

" I was born ready."

Pagkalabas namin sa court I heard our schoolmates cheer loudly. Naks naman, may tarpaulin pa. Dapat na ba 'kong maiyak niyan? Nagwa warm up na yung iba at tinatali ko pa yung buhok ko when my ears caught a loud psst from the crowd.

" What the heck are you doing here?!"

They were wearing caps to cover their faces and you wont be able to recognize them talaga. The six of them were near the benches lang kaya hindi ko nahirapan na puntahan sila.

" Good luck Ren!" Nakangising sabi ni Kuya Je

Nakita kong nag thumbs up sila Brent at Ricci. Habang si Ben, Prince at Andrei nakikisabay sa cheer ng mga schoolmates ko.

Mamaya ko na sila tatanungin kung bakit sil napadpad dito. For now, we have a game to win.

Focus, Ren. Nandyan si Kuya Je, wag mo ipahiya sarili mo.

It's your chance to make a good impression. Nandyan si Tisoy. Umayos ka.

"Stallions, Fight!"

We shouted in unison.

It's game time. Let's do this!

-_-_-_-_-*

" Everyone, we are now down to the last 2 minutes of our exhibition game between the Xavier Lady Stallions and the Ateneo Eaglets. The Stallions are leading with 60 points. 114 to 54. Grabe ang opensa."

"Pero malakas rin- Oh! No sir! Ella's three blocked by Team Captain Chris! Nakuha ni Liz and ending it with an easy layup."

" You know partner it really amazes me how Coach Marc trains these girls. Talagang always in sync ang mga galawan nila."

" Wendell attempts to pass Irene, pinasa niya kay Mae. Double team kay Jade... Nakuha ni Sol! Binigay kay Chris, tinira! Oy sablay- woah! Teng slams it with a high jump!"

" Y'know I'm really impressed with the Stallions. They managed to continue their winning streaks making them undefeated for 16 years already."

" Oo nga partner, at it's seems na hindi nila binigo ang kanilang mga seniors. Every season, they get better and better. At sigurado ako, they'll continue to improve."

" Pero the Eaglets really know kung sino ang dapat nila bantayan. Kadalasan ang dino- double team nila e si Chris at si Trid."

" Kylie with the ball, passed to Wendell. 40 seconds. Wendell nilampasan si Solene,  tumira! ... Wala! Nakuha ni Liz ang rebound, pinunta kay Irene, balik kay Kapitana Chris, 30 seconds..Haha! Couch Marc on the side line is dancing with the pep squad."

" Well I bet he's really pleased with the team's performance.... Ren with the threee!! Hanep talaga ang tres mg dalagang 'to walang mintis."

6...5...4...3...2...1

*Buzzer

Ren's POV

Tumigil ako sa pagtakbo when I heard the buzzer. The loud screams made my heart bang even louder and I banged my chest with my hand to show the happiness I was feeling at the moment.

One of the things you should know about is that- we take each and every game seriously. Kahit exhibition lang yan o championships na. We try to give our 101% best.

Lumapit kami sa kanila Ella and shook hands. They did great, mas nag improve pa na sila ngayon.

I know medyo nahihirapan rin sila mag-adjust kasi ga-graduate na yung seniors nila. Pero they still managed to deliver a great performance.

" Congrats team! You all did great!"
Coach said and gave us all a high five

Marami ring aalis sa team namin kasi ga-graduate na rin. At kasama na'ko dun. Good bye Senior High School, Hello College life!

Pinipeste rin ako nila Alex na sa La Salle na nga lang daw mag college para may kasama siya. Para daw may kasama siyang manood ng Games nila. Aba! May plano pa 'ata akong gawin na Photographer at alalay. Ayos rin 'tong babaeng 'to, ano?

"Aray! What the hell Alex?!"

Ano na naman kayang problema ng babaeng 'to at bigla na lang nanghahampas ng braso?

" Nanditoooo sila Brenntt!" She whispered at hahampasin na sana 'ko ulit pero inunahan ko na siya. Hinampas ko siya sa bewang.

"Speaking of your Brenty, yun oh." Liz pointed something sa likod ko.

They went down from the bleachers and started walking towards us.

This reminds me of the scenes in the movies na biglang dadahan yung oras, tapos biglang tutugtog yung "Almost Paradise" ng Boys over flowers.

"Naks, Teng ka nga talaga Bunso."

We did a fist bump.

"Ganadong ganado ah." Pabirong sabi ni Ricci. Nag make face ako and he answered back by showing me one of his Rivero smiles.

Gods, kinikilig ako momshie.

"Parang si Curry lang ah. Steph, is dat u?" Dagdag pa ni Prince

" Hindi naman kasi polido uung depensa kaya madali lang lusutan." I said with a matter-of-fact tone.

"Ows! Sige nga, pakita mo sa'kin Teng." Ricci took off his bomber jacket and started dribbling the ball.

I rolled my eyes playfully at him.

"Really Rivero? Hahamunin mo'ko?"

Tinanggal ko yung towel na nakapatong sa balikat ko at sinundan siya sa gitna ng court.

"Gusto mo talaga makakita ng totoong depensa?"

He nodded while nagdi-dribble pa rin. I took a defense position.

Akala mo ah. Porket 6 footer ka, akala mo mae-easy mo 'ko.

"Do your worst Rivero."

__________________________
Engkkk! Lasaw siya guys!