League of Life

Game 4: Michael Jordan Freyson

Michael Jordan Freyson: (The Power Forward/Team Captain)

I can still hear the screams of the players from our opponents. They shouting for their glory, while my team grieving for lose.

Well actually this is just a practice game laban sa nangungunang team—ang San Gabriel Warriors. But we take practice games seriously kaya malaki rin ang impact ng pagkatalo namin. Lalo na ang mga players— at Isa ako doon—na maraming insecurities.

Chloe —my childhood friend and number 1 fan—came to my way, handed me a bottled water and gently wiped my sweat all over my forehead and neck.

"Hey what's with the frown? Maybe your team lose but you did a great job. Naka-ilang three points ka nga eh, four points pa nga n'ong na-foul yung kalaban. Chloe's lively voice can hear at the four sides of the court, cheering me up as ever.

"Chloe, can you leave me for awhile?"

I want some time alone. Actually I hate myself for being rude with her. I know that she just wanted to cheer me up but I really need to be alone right now.

"Okay...pero hintayin kita sa labas, sabay tayo uuwi," I heard disappointment on her voice. But Chloe is not a type of person who easily intimidate, not to mention that she's use to my rudeness. Inaya pa rin niya ako na sabay kaming umuwi.

Bukod sa teammates ko, si Chloe ang madalas kong kasama. Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ko na may gusto sa siya sa akin. Pero nakakabatang kapatid lang talaga ang turing ko sa kanya. Magkaibigan ang mga magulang namin and magkasosyo rin sa negosyo.

"Oo naman, magbibihis lang ako. Hindi mo naman siguro gustong samahan akong magbihis 'di ba?" nakonsensya naman kaya nagbiro na lang ako. Ayaw ko naman na tuluyan siyang magtampo sa akin.

Chloe's cheek reddened—she blushed.  "Ewan ko sa'yo! basta hintayin kita sa kotse," sagot niya at tumalikod sa akin.

I smiled a bit and walk through the locker room. I took off my jersey uniform and throw it on the floor.

Our team just had another lost. And I blamed myself because of that. As the team captain, I should be the one who lead my team. Pero dahil sa kapabayaan ko, natalo na naman kami. Tulad ng sabi ko kanina, pngatlong laban na namin ito this season, at lahat talo. I ashamed to admit it but I know I am a big disappointment to my team. Hindi ko nga alam kung may mukha pa ba akong ihaharap sa kanila.

I am 4th year student taking up business management. Last year na 'ko na sa university, last chance na rin para nakapaglaro. Last chance to prove my worth. But it seems unlucky.

"Captain."  Robis came in and sit next to me. "Hey don't blame yourself hindi mo kasala---" I cut him off before he could finish his sentence. I don't want to justify my irresponsible acts. As a team captain, dapat hindi ako nagpabaya.

"Oo, hindi ko kasalanan, pero hindi ko rin nagawa 'yong dapat 'kong gawin. Last year ko na pero kahit practice game hindi ko man lang mapanalo." halos pumiyok ako buti na lang napigil ko. Mas lalo lang nakakahiya sa teammates ko. They did their best for this game while I'm just being a burden to them.

"Frey..."

"Hindi naman tayo ganito n'ong hindi pa ako ang captain eh! Madalas naman tayong manalo, bilang lang sa daliri ang talo natin. But now, we're mess and it's because of me."

Nasalin sa akin ang pagiging captain when my seniors graduated. Dahil ako ang natirang senior at pinakamatanda sa team, our coach and my teammates decided to make me as their team captain. But I'm not confident of being one. I don't think that I'm capable of the position that my teammates entrusted to me. Kung 'di pa ako ang pinakamatanda, malamang na hindi pa ako mapili para sa pwesto. Maybe I'm good in court, but I'm lacking in leadership.

"Frey, may pagkukulang din naman kami...ako kanina, I admit, I can't focus on the game. Alam mo naman na umuwi na 'yong Daddy ko 'di ba? He's forcing me to quit. iyon ang nasa isip ko during the game so  I lost my focus...I'm sorry," I know Robis just said that so I stop to blame myself.

"Don't be sorry Robis, I know you try it hard. Pero magaling talaga 'yong kalaban natin, lalo na 'yong team captain nila."

"Frey!" Robis move closer to me. He put his right hand on my shoulder as he try to cheer me up. "Don't compare yourself to him, we don't entrust you this position if we know that you can't do it. Ikaw ang binoto namin dahil ikaw ang nararapat."

I let out the tears to fall that I was holding earlier. "Robis..." napailing na sagot. Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin ko.

"Please don't be so hard on yourself. 'Wag mo ikumpara ang sarili mo sa iba, sa team captain ng ibang team o sa former team captain natin. Pinili ka namin cause we believe in you...so please believe in us, prove to us na tama 'yong paniniwala namin sa'yo."

Tama si Robis, how can I prove to my team— or to myself—my worth if I'll give up this early? I should not compare myself to others. As a saying goes by: The only person you can be great for is the person you was yesterday.

Hindi ko man mapantayan ang former team captain namin o ang captain sa kabilang team. I can show to them the best version of myself.

"Thanks Robis for the encouraging words. Promise gumaan ang pakiramdam ko,"

I really appreciate his concern. Kundi dahil sa kanya, nagmumukmok pa rin ako ngayon. Naghihintay pa naman sa akin si Chloe siguradong naiinip na 'yon.

Ngumiti ako at pinunasan ang luha sa mga mata. Hindi ako dapat panghinaan ng loob. My teammates need their team captain. They need me.

The door opened and Kobi, the school —self proclaimed — heartthrob and our team center entered. "Oh very touchy! Group hug!" sabi niya niyakap kaming dalawa ni Robis.

Sa aming lahat si Kobi ang pinaka-cheerful. Siya lang yata ang walang dinadalang problema sa amin. His positivity makes everyone around him think positive too. He has this power to shift the mood of any conversation to turn a gloomy atmosphere into something more breathable. He can even uplift someone's feelings at some times. He never hesitates to talk and don't stop whether or not he feels that it's necessary. He never hesitates to break the ice when he needs to. He's just... really pleasant to be with.

I'm very thankful to have a friend like him, less drama and somehow comforting. Kahit minsan nawawalan na kami ng pag-asa napapatawa niya pa rin kami.

"Hey get rid of your hand on me!" Robis frowned and tried to shove Kobi away but the latter keep on hugging us. Kobi also pouted his lips and attempt to kiss Robis pero sinapak siya ni Robis sa bibig. Natatawa naman siyang pinunasan lang ang labi na nadampian ng kamay ni Robis.

I heaved a sigh of relief and hugged my friends. Their hugs keep me warm. I know I really need it right now.

Mayamaya kumawala rin si Robis sa pagkakayakap sa amin. Natira kaming dalawa ni Kobi at nagyakapan.

Kobi pouted his lips and attempt to kiss me. Instead of shoving Kobi away— just like Robis did—I also pouted my lips at very game na nakisakay sa trip niya. Sanay na kaming lahat kay Kobi si Robis lang talaga ang naiinis pa rin lagi.

"Buti pa si Frey, Kobi said. " Yes, kiss me baby Frey!"

That's when Chloe entered the locker room. "Frey why took you..." Chloe stop midway of her sentence. Her eyes widened, she look so shocked seeing the scene in front of her.

"Frey, are you gay?" hindi na niya hinintay ang sagot ko at patakbong lumabas ng locker room.

"No, Chloe wait... Chloe of course not!" kumawala ako sa pagkakayakap Kay Kobi at dali-daling tumayo. Natatawa naman siyang binigyan ako ng daan.

I run outside the locker room to follow Chloe.

Narinig ko pa ang tawa ni Kobi pero hindi ko na siya pinanasin

I need to explain my side to her.

🏀🏀🏀

Power Forward: The power forward (also known as the 'four') is usually the second tallest player on the team and is required to be both strong and skilled. The power forward needs a good midrange jump shot (especially from the short corner) and will be even more effective if they're able to consistently hit a three-point shot. Players who can do this are known as a 'stretch four'.

Source: RulesofSports.com