Chapter 5

Just Win

Deep sky-blue varsity jacket hanging on their shoulder, white jersey and expensive shoes. It all came to view when the gym door opened. Their elite aura was emanating with every step they took. This is the basketball team that can rival ours – the St. Bernard Catholic School's Blue Angels.

Hindi ako makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko. He should be in the front since he's the captain but I didn't see him. I breathe out a sigh of relief when all their players went in, but he didn't show up. I guess he won't be able to participate this practice game. To say I'm glad is an understatement. I'm relieved.

Sinalubong namin sila. Nakipagkamay sa 'kin ang kanilang coach na si Mr. Henry Go.

"I assume you're the manager?" tanong niya matapos makipagkamay sa 'kin.

"Yes," nakangiting sagot ko. "Salamat po dahil pinaunlakan niyo ang imbitasyon namin."

Sumulyap ako sa mga players na kasama niya. My lips twitched when I saw some faces I wanted to forget. They were looking at me with guilt in their eyes and all I could do was to look away.

Dinala ko sila sa kabilang side ng gym. "Mr. Go, they can start the warm-up and then we'll proceed to the practice game after ten minutes."

Iniwan ko na sila roon at nagpunta sa aming team. I heaved out a deep sigh and slumped on the bench. Pakiramdam ko'y malaking energy ang nawala sa 'kin nang mapalapit ako sa kabilang team.

"Manager, ba't ang putla mo?" Hinawakan ni Erzo ang aking noo.

Napatingin silang lahat sa 'kin nang magtanong si Erzo.

Bahagya kong tinabig ang kaniyang kamay. "I'm fine." Umiwas ako ng tingin.

"Uminom ka muna ng tubig." Nag-abot si Carl ng tubig sa 'kin.

"Thanks." I drank the whole water down and surprisingly, it made me at ease a little.

"Lian."

Sabay-sabay kaming napatingin sa tumawag sa 'kin. I inhaled and slightly looked away. Three from the other team stood in front of me. I thought to see Paul was the only thing I want to avoid. I didn't know I would react this way just by seeing them. The memories I wanted to forget all came crashing down on me and I couldn't breathe.

"It's...been a long time," sabi ng lalakeng nasa gitna. He's Erwin. How would I forget that name? He's the Vice Captain and Paul's bestfriend.

Tumayo na ako. "Simulan na natin ang laro."

"Can we talk a bit?" tanong naman ni Tyler, ang point guard ng team.

Ah, of course, I remember that face too. He used to look so cheerful. Why does he look like he ate shit?

Pilit akong ngumiti sa kanilang tatlo. "I'm afraid I can't. Kailangan na nating simulan ang practice game." Tumingin ako sa aking orasan. "Five minutes before eight."

"It will be quick," sabi naman ni Aaron, isa rin sa malapit na kaibigan ni Paul.

The smile faded on my lips. I looked at them with a serious expression. I couldn't pretend that this was ok. How could they have approached me as if nothing happened? Like they didn't do anything bad to me before?

"I don't want to repeat myself." I looked at Erwin dead in the eyes. "We have to start the practice game."

Lalakad pa sana palapit sa 'kin si Erwin ngunit hinarang ni Adam ang kaniyang braso. Adam was 2 inches taller than them so they have to look up a bit.

"She was clearly telling you she doesn't want to talk." He smiled. "What's so hard to understand about that?"

Isa-isa silang humarang sa 'kin na para bang pinoprotektahan ako. Naramdaman ko naman ang presensya sa 'king tabi at nakita ko si Gio na nakaupo sa bench na inupuan ko kanina. Umiinom siya ng tubig ngunit ang tingin niya'y hindi niya inaalis sa tatlo.

I heard someone clicked their tongue. Hindi ko makita ang nangyayari dahil nakaharang sila sa 'kin. Sa lapad ng likod nila at tangkad nila, hindi na makita pa sina Erwin, Aaron at Tyler.

Humarap sila sa 'kin at seryosong-seryoso ang kanilang mukha.

"Mabebs, may atraso ba sila sa 'yo? Gusto mo bugbugin namin sa court 'yong mga 'yon mamaya?" tanong ni Jin.

I chuckled. "Mabebs?" tanong ko kaysa sagutin ang mga tanong niya sa 'kin.

"Short for manager and babes!" Proud na sagot naman ni Shon. "Manager ka namin at nag-iisa kang babes sa basketball team, eh."

Napailing na lang ako. "Baduy niyo." Binelatan ko sila.

Isa-isa kong ginulo ang kanilang buhok, Kinailangan ko pa talagang tumiyad para gawin 'yon.

"Ready na! Ready na!" sigaw ko at pinaghahampas ang puwet nila ng towel. "Kapag natalo kayo, alam niyo na ang mangyayari." Ngumisi ako.

Tumawa si Rex. "A deal is a deal, Mabebs!"

"Right!"

Sakto namang dumating na ang referee. Luminya sila sa gitna gym at kumamay sa isa't-isa. Ang maglalaro sa 'ming team ay sina Gio, Jin, Adam, Lloyd at Rex. Sa kabilang team naman sina Erwin, Tyler, Aaron at tatlo pang players na mukhang bago lang sa kanila. Si Gio ang nasa gitna para sa jump ball at ang katapat niya ay si Erwin na Vice Captain ng Blue Angels.

Pumito ang referee at inihagis ang bola. Si Gio ang nakakuha nito at mabilis silang nagpunta palapit sa ring. Halos pantay ang bilis ng magkabilang team ngunit mabilis naka-score ang side namin. Ipinasa ni Gio ang bola kay Adam nang naging mahigpit ang pagbabantay sa kaniya.

Adam took the shot and scored two points. I smiled when I saw how serious they were. Mukhang may chance pa akong matalo sa deal.

Well, how could I complain if they looked so happy while playing? I don't mind losing.

Sumandal ako sa bench. Looking at those three faces that I don't want to see ever again, I realized that I wanted my team to win. I want to see the look of disappointment on their faces. I want to make them feel how pathetic they look while they lose.

I don't care about the deal anymore.

"Just win," I whispered.

The first quarter ended with our team on the lead with a score of 34-30. The two minutes break started. Binigyan ko sila ng towel at tubig.

"Adam, they'll gonna keep on guarding you." Gio combed his hand through his hair. "You don't have to focus on being quick, just sell the fake. Don't forget the jab step."

Adam smirked. "Aight, boss," sagot niya. "No, Kobe Bryant fan."

Napatawa silang lahat.

Umiling naman si Gio habang may maliit na ngiti sa labi. Wait, did he just smile?!

Kinuha ko ang aking notebook at sinulat ang sinabi ni Gio. I don't know much about basketball strategies and tricks. I can learn a lot from this practice game.

"Mabebs, anong ginagawa mo?" tanong ni Zen habang nakatingin sa isinusulat ko.

Nakabangko siya kasama sina Shon, Erzo, Owen, Carl at Luis.

"I have to take notes," sagot ko.

"Jabbing and pivoting," ani Jin. "Useful tricks."

Tumango si Gio. "They're the type to get close to block our opening. You have to be quick in using your wits to outrun them," Itinuro niya ang isang part ng court. "Don't be greedy for the points, I always tell you all that. No option? Pass. No opening? Pass. But if you can break down their defense, shoot it, don't hesitate."

"Wow," I whispered while writing down all he said.

Si Gio ba talaga itong nagsasalita? Siya ba talaga 'yung lalakeng ayaw magpagising nang maaga para mag-practice? Siya ba talaga 'yung Gio na gustong-gusto akong paalisin sa pagiging manager dahil ayaw niyang pinipilit silang mag-practice?

I guess he really earned the title of being the captain of the most popular and strongest basketball team here in our town.

The break ended and they all went back to the court. Bigla akong na-excite sa puwedeng mangyari dahil siguradong gaganda na lalo ang laban. Hindi ako mahilig sa kahit anong sports pero hindi ko alam na ganito pala kasaya ang manood.

"Mabebs, ang galing ni Gio, 'no?" Siniko ako ni Luis sa 'king tagiliran.

Tumango ako. "Hindi ko 'yon ine-expect."

"Right? Akala mo lang wala siyang pake sa basketball pero kapag nasa loob na siya ng court parang kaisa siya ng bola." Sumandal siya sa bench at pinanood ang pagtakbo ng parehong team. "Fan na fan siya ni Kobe Bryant. Lahat ng mga games nito maging mga tutorials, tips at lahat ng mga related na videos nito ay pinapanood niya."

"Hindi lang 'yon, Mabebs," panimula ni Owen. "Lahat ng mga moves niya, inaral niya mula sa mga tutorial videos ni Kobe."

Napangiti na lang ako. I don't know much about NBA players but Kobe Bryant is a legend known by all. Kahit hindi ka fan ng basketball, kilala mo pa rin siya. He left a huge legacy and his memories will never be forgotten.

Gaya nang sinabi ni Gio, si Adam ang binantayan ng pinakamalaki nilang player. He was guarded but he did something to getaway. He jabbed his right foot to create some space between him and the other player, he positioned his body like he will make a jump shot but before his feet leave the ground, he pivoted to the right where there was an opening. He got away from the defense and took it as a chance to shoot. Points were added to our team.

"That's called Pump fake and pivot," sabi ni Shon. "Kailangan mong gawin ang jab step para magkaroon ng space mula sa 'yo at sa nagbabantay sa 'yo para makapag-pump fake ka. Pump fake is like doing a jump shot but you won't jump. It's like an attempt but instead of shooting it, you will take it as a chance to pivot and get away from your guard's defense."

Isinulat ko ang sinabi ni Shon. Habang patuloy ang laro, sinasabi nila sa 'kin ang lahat ng moves na nagagamit mula sa magkabilang panig. Padami na nang padami ang mga naisusulat ko.

Before I knew it, the second half ended with our team still on the lead with 62-60.

The other team didn't look good. Mukhang hindi nila gusto ang nangyayari sa practice game. Masama ang tingin nila sa 'min habang hinahabol nila ang kanilang hininga.

Blue Angels? Is that how angels look like?

The half-time started. There will be a fifteen minutes break before the third quarter starts.

"Paano ba 'yan, Mabebs? Mukhang matatalo ka pa yata sa deal," nakangising sabi ni Rex.

Inabutan ko siya ng tubig. " 'Wag kang magsalita ng tapos. Bilog ang bola, boy."

Natawa siya sa 'king sinabi.

"What deal?" tanong ni Gio. Nakahubad ang kaniyang pang-itaas na jersey habang may nakasabit na towel sa kaniyang leeg. Ang laki pala ng tattoo niya sa balikat. Umabot ito sa kaniyang dibdib hanggang sa upper arm niya. Isa lang itong pattern ngunit ang porma tingnan.

"Nalimutan naming banggitin sa 'yo na may deal na naganap," sabi ni Rex. "Kapag natalo tayo, kailangan nating sumunod sa kaniya. Kapag naman nanalo tayo, siya ang kailangang sumunod sa 'tin. Hindi na natin kailangan mapilitan sa pagpa-practice."

Gio scoffed. "This will be an easy win." Tumalikod na siya at naglakad patungo sa isang bench.

Time passed and the third quarter started. This is when something happened. I noticed that the other team was starting to get too physical. Ginagawa nila 'yon sa blind spot ng referee pero kitang-kita naming kung paano siniko ni Aaron si Rex.

"That son of a–"

Hinawakan ni Carl ang aking braso. "That's how they play, Mabebs. If they're losing, they will start to literally beat their opponents physically."

"But we can do something about it!"

"Gio won't like it," sabi ni Luis. "Let him handle it."

Muli na namang natapos ang isang quarter ngunit ang kabilang side naman ang nangunguna na may score na 98-95.

Walang nagsalita sa 'min sa loob ng dalawang minutong break. Gusto kong kwestyonin si Gio ngunit seryoso ang kaniyang mukha na para bang gusto na niyang manuntok.

The fourth quarter started. Sakto namang dumating na sina Jelyn, Yvonne at Tamara. Tumabi sila sa 'kin.

Sumipol si Tamara. "Woah, that's foul!" she shouted.

"I know," naiiling na sabi ko.

"We want you to win the deal but this is..." Hindi na naituloy ni Yvonne ang kaniyang sasabihin.

I sighed. "I will feel bad if I win the deal like this." Nag-aalala akong tumingin kina Gio. They looked exhausted but the other team looked like they were just starting to get pumped up.

This is not good.