Our favorite place (Book 1 and 2)

Twenty-Seven

The following days were spent meeting with Sir Edgar, national team Managers, Ate Ly and Tyang Aby.

But this day, when I get to the gym, Sir Edgar asked to talked with me privately.

"The management changed their minds, we are going with the previous line up. The line up on charity game."

"Wow, uh good thing the players still haven't went for try outs."

"Yeah."

"You'll talk to the players right, sir?"

"Yes yes."

*

"Well that just didn't put pressure to us." Bea said once I told them.

"That was the management wants." I told them.

"Same line up?" Ate Ly asked.

"Yes."

"Same coach?"

I nodded. "Yes ate, same, as in same."

"Imagine going up against them again. If we gave them a good 5 setter game last time, it will be not impossible that we can win against them." Ate Den said.

"Tama." Ate Ly agreed.

"Okay ate you are just agreeing with that cause that was ate Den. You, ate, of all people know their game." Maddie said.

"We should at least give our best again. We get back to training again and give our best shot." I said.

"Besides, we don't have a choice." Bea said.

"Yeah, that."
"True."
"Tama."

We all agreed.

Well, we have a choice, choice not to participate and loose the slot to National Team. We can't do that. There are a lot of players that wants the slot and we are not the people to just waste it.

-

The next five months were spent in training. Grueling, cause they asked coach Tai to be our conditioning coach.

On the final 2 days of the training, we went back to Siargao, Deanna's island, for a team building.

"I didn't told you guys about this before, but this is the most precious place on the island." Deanna said and we walked towards the hospital.

"Wow, Deanna." Ate Ly said. "This is amazing. So this Jade Cruz really has no next of kin?"

"Nothing, we checked."

"Ate Jemaaa!!" Brian shouted and ran towards me.

"Why am I not shocked that the kids already know Jema?" Bea said to Jia.

"Hey there big guy!" I said opened my arms for a hug from him.

"Buti po bumalik kayo."

"We have a team building here Brian." Deanna said.

"Why are you tall?" Liam, who was looking up, asked Bea. "You too." He looked at Maddie. "You too, you too, you too, you too." He looked at Mika, Baron, Tolentino, and Sato.

"But you are not. You are small." He frowned and looked at Ate Ella.

That made them laugh.

"Aba loko tong batang to ah."

"Besh, kalma bata yan." Ate den said.

"You too, you are small." He said and looked at Ate Den.

"Excuse me?!" Ate Den exclaimed.