Air Ball

XXIII: Yellow, Black, and Orange

JILL

At the last minute of the overtime, UST was down by four. The scene was like a huge flashback to that faithful day in October last year.

Almond Vosotros missed a three that could have iced the game and sealed the championship. Still playing with an injury, Karim outrebounded Norbert and AvO. The play would make you think he's being his usual dominating self even though he's far from it. Sending a long baseball pass to Sheriff with two Archers behind him, Sheriff quickly passed the ball to a running Kevin Ferrer who seemed to pop out of nowhere. Making a statement with his one-handed slam, the fight was far from over. It happened within ten seconds but it felt like I was watching everything in slow motion.

In the next possession, the Archers milked the shot clock. Thomas Torres was dribbling the ball away, his eyes scanning the court to see if everyone is in their place for that game-winning play. With the shot clock down to five, he attempted a crossover to the left but Sheriff quickly followed which gave him no choice but to pass the ball to Jason Perkins who was immediately double teamed by Aljon and Kevin. He didn't even have enough room to make a shot. Their twenty-four second possession was over.

Eleven seconds in the game clock. No more shot clock, no more timeouts left for either team, no more fouls to give. Coach Pido was shouting instructions, and so was Coach Juno. The crowd in yellow and those in green were on their feet. Some had their hands clasped in prayer while some were simply holding their breaths.

Eight seconds. The Archers employed a full-court press but the Tigers were able to cross the ball to the half-court, thanks to the Sheriff-Subido backcourt duo.

Five seconds. Sheriff dribbled the ball, looking at his options. The Archers were now doing a zone defense which would make it very risky if the Tigers should decide to take it strong to the basket. Unfortunately, it was what kept the Tigers going in this game. Rainbow country wasn't so pleasing as it should be, resulting to a horrible twenty-two percent three-point shooting clip from the Tigers.

Three seconds. Kevin received the ball from Sheriff. Two defenders immediately came over when he step backed for what seemed likea three-pointer. But that was not what Kevin had in mind.

One and a half second. Aljon had just cut from the other side to go to the corner where Kevin could see him. Between the two of them, Aljon had the better look for a three-point shot since the defenders were distracted with Kevin. Everybody in the arena knew this, especially Kevin. With no time to dribble, Aljon released the ball instantly after receiving it from Kevin.

Just like the story of last year, one side cheered while the other was left heartbroken. The characters though, have changed.

"With the final score of seventy-two to seventy-one in the Game Three of the UAAP Finals, your UAAP Men's Basketball Season Seventy-Seven Champions... the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers!" The announcer's voice boomed throughout the coliseum.

Yellow and black balloons began to fall the same time the party poppers were opened. Last year, I was a spectator on the lower box area. Today, I am on the courtside and yet I am still crying. This time though, it's because of the overwhelming feeling of victory and celebration that is unfolding before my eyes.

The"Go USTe" was the loudest I've heard. It was delivered with pride, with gratitude, with happiness. Thomasians were raising their arms in the air while some were even jumping up and down as if not believing we finally won. This was what could have been last year, just a delayed celebration.

Kent was the first to notice me frozen on the spot and he pulled me instantly to join the circle of Tigers. We were all jumping around, shouting, laughing, bumping, and high-fiving everyone.