It's that time of the year that we have all been waiting for. UAAP volleyball season 77 is finally here.
We're told that we were up against a powerhouse team right on our first game kaya we're doing more vigorous training to prepare for it. It kind of pressures us to think that people expects a lot from last season's champions and expects everyone to deliver every game. That's where people are wrong though, because we'll always bring our A game everytime naman no matter who our opponents will be. Besides, we've got a crown to keep.
The extra training hours with Jia are finally paying off. Tama na kasi yung timing - the height of the ball, the speed of her set, my footing when I land. Our connection is stronger than ever, mas solid na. Bihira na lang magka-errors not like dati na nangangapa pa kami pareho sa isa't-isa.
"Maaan!" I mutter as I plop down on the floor next to Mich. She just looks at me like 'yeah, I feel you' as she hands me a bottle of water which I gratefully accepted naman. Just like ate Ells, inaasahan din si Michifu to dig and receive sa likod kapag wala si ate Den. Mich naman is a natural, smart din maglaro.
"Sino sa tingin mo yung unang team na makakalaban natin?" Mich asks me. "Pa-suspense pa kasi sina Coach, ayaw pa sabihin. I'm betting on La Salle though."
I chuckle. "Hype na hype ka na agad to face our rival, Michifu ah. I doubt na Archers agad though. I'm thinking between NU or UST."
"Sana Adamson. I have a crush dun eh." Tawa ni Mich na kina-iling ko naman. "Grabe ka sakin, Idol. Crush lang naman. Loyal naman ako kay El. Baka sya pa nga ang hindi eh."
"Nako, lagot samin nina Ji si El kapag niloko ka nun. Pero let me guess, si ate Bang crush mo no?" I chuckle.
"Kilala mo?"
"Yeah, pinakilala sakin ni ate Ara." I say. "She's kind and sweet. Pretty pa."
"Wait, bakit pinakilala sayo ni Ara?" Mich asks me curiously.
"I'm good friends with the Archers since I trained with them for a short while before entering college. Parang I'm making up my mind pa where to study. Both ko namang gusto yung La Salle and Ateneo eh."
"Oh, eh bakit nga ba hindi dun? I remember tita Det saying na lahat sila Archers and ikaw lang ang na-iba sakanila." Lagi naman na kasi sa bahay nagse-stay sina Mich. We just hang out lang and pig out while binge watching different Netflix series.
"Eh kailan ba ako sumunod sa norms?" I laugh. "Tsaka I have a really supportive family naman. They trust me enough to make my own decisions."
"Sabagay. Pareho rin namang prestigious universities eh. So bakit mo pinili rito?"
"Wala kasing Maddie sa La Salle." I chuckle, winking at Mich who frowns. "Sa loob ng halos isang taon na LDR kami, syempre we'd grab the chance na to be together di ba? We're both lucky na parehas kaming nirerecruit ng Ateneo."
"Kasama pala talaga sa mga desisyon mo si Maddie ano?" Mich says softly, sadly looking at me.
"Why? Hindi ba kasama si El sa mga plano mo?" I ask. "I think it's normal to include your partner in your future kasi if not, then why would you even date her di ba?"
"Basta guard your heart, Bea." Mich says as she stands up. "You'll never know what will happen if you let your guard down."
*
"Bea--!" Jia yells as it dawns on her what NU's Jaja would do next.
Jaja's spikes are really hard to block. Miski si ate Den nahihirapan sa pag-dig ng mga spikes nya. That's why Coach Tai told me to be more assertive when Jaja will spike. If I can't block it, I should tip it off to change the ball's momentum even a little bit. Kanina pa rin kasi kami nalulusutan ni Jaja. We won't win unless we get to seal her from scoring.
