"I guess Kuya Kim's right when he said in the news that a storm will hit the country," Ella said loudly.
Everyone in the gym gave her a confused look. She just rolled her eyes, pointed at the gym door, and said, "Ayun o! Bagyong Baldo!" Everybody looked at where Ella's pointing and saw Alyssa approaching them.
"Yey!"
"Whooooh!"
"Woot! Woot!"
"Bagyong Baldo! Bagyong Baldo!"
The gym was filled with cheers from Aly's former and new teammates.
"Hey guys!" Aly said while flashing her signature smile.
"I thought hindi ka na talaga pupunta," said Coach Nes.
"Coach, I told you not to get your hopes high pero hindi ko naman sinabing walang pag-asa," Aly replied.
"Huwag po kasi kayong masyadong nega, Coach," Marge said. Everyone laughed at her comment.
"Where's Jia?" Aly asked.
"She was drafted by another team. Kaya tiis ka na lang muna sa akin," sagot ni Mich (Morente)
"Tiis? Both of you won't get awards sa UAAP kung hindi kayo magaling. Pahumble ka pa," Aly said while tousling Mich's hair.
"We have Wendy Semana here naman as our setter. Ang galing nga niyan e. Parang kotse. Convertible. Pwede din kasi siyang spiker. Bawi na lang daw next year si D-Mac (Rhea Dimaculangan), manganganak na e. Fortunately for us pinayagan ng Philippine Air Force na mapunta sa atin sila Wendy at Iari Yongco this season. Wala kasi silang entry," Ella explained.
Aly greeted her new teammates, Wendy and Iari. Then Ara Galang, Lizlee Gata-Pantone, and Ging Balse caught her eyes. She hugged them and said, "Anyare? You told me kayo na ang bahala sa team nung umalis ako."
"We can't do it without you talaga," Ara said.
"Tapos tumatanda na rin si Ate Ging," habol ni Lizlee.
"Hoy Liz! Makamatanda ka naman. Fresh grad ka? You even got married first bago ako. Kalabaw lang ang tumatanda. Matibay yata ito. Si Aly nga itong akala mo laging may injury pag naglalaro," Ging said jokingly.
"Ouch! Sakit ng right knee ko," Ella said.
"Ouch! May neck injury ako," pang-aasar din ni Marge.
Everyone laughed at their antics including Aly. Then Aly saw a familiar face and hugged her. "Jirah! I'm glad you made it to the team."
"Oo nga e. I haven't got much exposure nung college pero your company still gave me a chance. Thankful ako when they picked me during the draft," Jirah said tearfully.
Someone handed Jirah a hanky and said, "Tama na, Ji. Iiyak ka na naman. Sorry guys. I'm late." Then the girl turned and faced Aly, "Hi Ly!"
"Bang! Hi!" Aly said. She doesn't know what to say next so her mouth was left open. Ella reached for Aly's chin and lift it up to close her mouth.
Natawa naman si Bang. "You must be surprised. I got traded with Bernadette Pons during the break so part na ako ng team."
"Ang lakas naman pala ng team, Coach Nes. Hindi na ako kakailanganin," Aly said.
"I think everyone would agree if I tell you na you're important in this team. Right team?" said Coach Nes.
Everyone nodded and agreed.
"Kulang din kami sa height. Ella should have been traded with Mae na lang e," singit ni Marge.
"Huwag insecure Marge. You're just jealous of my 50-inch vertical jump. Ellavator ito e," Ella said.
"Hala. Leonel Marshall lang ang peg? 50-inch jump ka diyan. Hindi mo kaya yun. Ang bigat mo e," gatong pa ni Ara.
Everyone laughed again kasama na yung inasar.
Then they heard and saw a camera flash from the bleachers. Bumaba naman yung photographer na may hawak na ngayong camcorder.
"Ate Gretch!" Aly exclaimed.
"Aaahhh! Espiya!" Mich shouted while pointing at Gretchen.
"Sabotage!" habol pa ni Ella.
"Hoy tumigil kayo. I won't be playing kaya for any team this season."
"So why are you recording this meeting?" Wendy asked.
"Gusto ko lang magapply na cameraman sa ABSCBN Sports+Action. Chos! Well, me and Sir Noel are the head commentators for this season. Ipinasa na sa akin ni Tita Mozzy ang korona niya. I'm just recording this meeting as part of my personal research. Dagdag inputs lang sa aking commentator duties," said Gretch.
Coach Pamilar said, "Sige. I'm okay with that Gretch. Pero huwag mo muna ilalabas na Aly's returning. Wala pa namang pasahan ng line up. I want this to be a big surprise."
"Yes, Coach," Gretch answered. She then focused her camera on Aly and asked, "So Phenom, what made you come back?"
Aly smiled and said, "I just thought that I've been far away from home for too long, so I decided to come back. This is home."
