Taking Risks

Chapter 19

Fort's P.O.V

It was one painful game lost. 4 lang yung lamang. Ako naman kasi eh, nagpakayabang dun kay Kiefer sa court. Nakakahiya ako. As a teammate, as Thomasian, as a Captain.

"Akala ko tayo na yung mananalo." Coach Pido said while scratching his head.

"Asan si Kevin?" Tanong ni Coach.

"Andito po ako coach." Sagot naman ni Kevin sabay tayo mula sa locker niya.

"Bat iniwan mo ng mag isa yang si Fortuna kasama si Kiefer?! Alam mo naman di niya kaya si Ravena, pinabayaan mo pa. Dapat nagbantay ka sa likod niya. Ayun na eh. May lamang na tayo ng 6, kaya pa sana yun kung hindi niyo pinapagaw ang bola. Ang hindi ko lang alam bat niyo pinapaagaw! Ang galing galing niyo sa first, second, actually lahat ng quarters eh. Sa last 2 minutes kayo nagkapalpakpalpak!"

"Sorry po, coach." Sabay namin sinabi.

"Sana lang. Sana nga lang may magagawa yang sorry ninyo." Sabi ni coach at tuluyan ng umalis.

Wala pa saamin may umaalis sa pwesto. Napanatili kami dun. Iniisip kung saan nagkamali. Ako may kasalanan eh. Sobrang naapektohan ako sa ginawa ni Sab for Kiefer.

Bigla akong tumayo at dun sa gitna pumwesto. "To my teammates, to the ones who've graduated, and to the ones who're still here. I am thankful that I've played for UST for as short as 5 years. As much as I wanted to stay, I couldn't. Because this part of my chapter is over. I've got to go to the next chapter. But before I go there, I want to thank all of you. To the people who are and who are not here. You've all supported me, believe in my capabilities. You've never doubted my strength. But mostly, I thank you for not doubting my height. I may be small, but my heart is big for all of you guys. You've been more than team mates to me. You guys are like family. Like brothers. And i couldn't imagine what my life would be if I didn't make it to this team. I am sorry for not winning this year's UAAP. It was all my fault. Nilabanan ko pa kasi yung mas malaki sakin eh. Tanga ko. I'm sorry kung na disappoint ko kaya. Ako din eh, I thought we we're bringing the baby home na eh. Di pa pala. I failed you not as a teammate. But as a Captain. But to be honest, di ko talaga alam ano ang mangyayari sakin kung hindi kayo ang teammates ko. Thank you so much. This is too gay to say pero mahal ko kayo." I said tapos naluha ako. Pero hindi ako umiyak. Napakabadap ko naman yan.

"Captain naman, di lang ikaw may kasalanan. Ako din eh. Pinabayaan kita. Sorry. Masaya ako na naabutan pa kita. Salamat sa pagtulong sakin at kung paano galingan ang free throws ko." Sabi naman ni Kevin sakin.

"Oo nga Capt, ako din eh. Sorry kulang yung pagchecheer ko mula kanina sa bench. Alam ko kulang kaya sorry." Sabi naman ni Ron.

Natuwa at naluha ako sa sinabi ni Ron.

"You've been a great captain, capt. And I couldn't imagine how this year's UAAP would be if hindi ikaw yung captain." Sabi naman ni Jeric sabay pagpatong ng braso niya sa balikat ko. "Thank you."

"And I just want you all to know as early as now that I, Jeric Marco Gray Fortuna, graduating student of University Of Santo Thomas, am proud to present and I am passing my crown of captainity" tapos niliitan ko boses ko "if there's such word.." I said with a smile and faced my direction to Jeric. "To Jeric Alvin Teng, the next UST tiger's Captain." And I ended my speech by slow clapping.

The other players started slow clapping also and I was happy to see Jeric happy. He deserves this.

"Thank you so much for trusting me, Fort." Then we fist bumped.

"I'm sorry at di nadala ng kagwapohan ko ang baby na dapat ay atin. Mahal ko kayo." Sabi naman ni Kim at agad naman siyang tinulak ni Abdul. "You are not gwapo. Inchik ka lang."