Never
I haven't talked to Sadie about what she saw that night since the game was already approaching, and that night, the boys invited me to drink with them again.
Sumapit din naman ang hinihintay naming araw. The first line-up of the game was, of course, Manila vs. Cebu. And then those who win would be facing the other teams, leading to the finals. Both have zero loss. Hah! Tingnan natin ngayon kung gaano kagagaling ang mga hayop na 'yon at ang yabang noong Captain.
Tumayo ako at tiningnan ang iilan na nagsusuot na rin ng kanya kanya nila jersey. I put the black compression leg sleeve on my left and wore my Nike shoes for the game. Pinatunog ko ito sa sahig at tumalon talon para tingnan kung makakagalaw ba ako nang maayos.
Ramdam ko kung gaano ka kondisyon ang katawan ko. I clicked my neck and shook my hands while doing a little jump.
"Tingnan mo si Rick." Tapik ni Mavric sa balikat ko at nginuso si Rick na tahimik na nakaupo sa bench, nakakuyom ang mga kamay at nakasandal ang ulo sa pader.
He looked so lost and angry. It's been a hot topic with us about the video. It triggered his trauma. And now I know where he would direct his displacement later.
I wanted a fair game for the team. Settled it like a professional basketball player should be acting on the court with only 25% physical and 75% mental. But then, as soon as Cebu went out with their full team and the coach, I forgot the 75% mental as it contributed to all of my physical.
At sa reaksyon ng mga kaibigan ko, kung wala kami sa court, siguro pinagsusugod na at isa-isang inambahan ng suntok ang mga nasa video habang bugbog sarado sa amin ang Captain na mismong nanakit at nambastos kay Shiloh.
Nagkatinginan kami ng captain. I guess he was considered the star player of the group because he's in the first five minutes of the first quarter.
Our first five include me, Mavric, Angelo, Liam, and Tyler. It was what the coach had planned, and seeing their first five, just like how he probably calculated their movement, Coach Josson nodded to us and clapped to let us know to do our best.
Maingay ang arena. The referee was already in the center holding the ball while we flocked around him as he murmured some rules as we waited for him to blow the whistle for the start of the game.
Noong pumito ito, and as the center of our team, I made a high jump, including the others, until I slammed the ball on the ground on our side. Mabilis ang paghabol ni Liam sa bola at din-ribble iyon. I ran to the other corner as Liam passed the ball to Tyler since he was being chased by two of the opponents.
The captain was glancing at me. Ako ang binantayan niya at mukhang sa dalawa pang bantay kay Mavric, nabasa ko agad na nanood sila sa mga laro ko.
Mavric is quite good at rebounding. I was so good at passing the ball every time I was cornered that being guarded wasn't really a problem for me as long as my team could keep up with the way I passed the ball. At sa lahat ng player, si Mavric ang madalas na napapantayan ang liksi ng pasa ko.
"Sana sinali niyo si Shiloh sa game?" He started talking to me while his back was facing me and I was trying to get to the other corner.
There was always a rule in the game that offensive words that might push someone's temper weren't allowed. Kaso mukhang alam na alam nila kung paano paiinitan ang larong ito.
"Kung sasali siya, hindi ba't nakakainsulto iyon sa inyo kung matatalo namin ang team niyo? Imagine it?" Bahagya kong idinaan sa tawa kahit nanginginig na ako sa galit.
Mavric got the ball from their team and ran to the ring.
"Here comes Evander, stealing the ball like a flash!" patuloy ng commentator na umalingawngaw ang tinig sa arena.
But then, Tyler got a screen, so he glanced at me and noticed that I was guarded by the captain itself kaya pinasa niya kay Tyler ang bola. Tyler dribbled it as he was chased by two of the opponents again as I ran from the other side to distract the captain.
Tang inang 'to! Lumayo layo siya at baka sisikuhin ko 'yang pangit niyang mukha!
Now, it was Tyler who was targeted by the captain. Sa ngisi ni Tyler at tinanguan ito, at sa paraan ng pakikipag-usap niya, kung paano napawi ang ngiti ng captain at galit na tumingin kay Tyler na nangingiting ipinasa ang bola sa akin, I knew he was now starting his own way to piss them off.
As soon as I got the ball, I ran to the ring, where three more were already there, bracing for my shot.
"Mukhang kalmado ang laro nitong si Jarsdel. This team seems to be taking the Cebu so lightly!" muling sabi ng commentator.
Sinubukan akong pigilan ng isa sa kanila kaya mabilis akong tumalikod at patalong inihagis ang bola papasok sa ring. I made a 360-degree dunk on the ring that created a loud noise.
"And look at that! Jarsdel making a sudden turn! A 360-degree dunk making the rim shake!" the commentator shouted.
The player who was behind me and tried to stop it fell on his back. And the way the referee gestured a score, I knew I didn't commit any foul out of it.
Nakangisi akong tumakbo at hinawakan ang bawat dulo ng aking jersey para ipagyabang iyon sa mismong captain. Tyler and Mavric went to me as we gave each other high fives. Nagtayuan pa sila Rick na nakaupo sa bench at maangas na nagsigawan.
"Delikado itong si Jarsdel! Kalmado maglaro pero nanggugulat! Who would expect the sudden dunk he made?" the commentator said amusingly.
Nagsigawan ang mga girls sa bleachers at may ibang itinaas ang mga banner nila na may mukha ko suot ang aking jersey uniform na may hawak na bola kaya tumapat doon ang camera at lumabas sila sa screen.
"The fans of Jarsdel are going wild! He's doing it again. First quarter pa lang, pero nagpapakitang gilas agad sa Cebu," ang commentator.
The camera went to our school until it showed Shiloh, who was smiling a little and looking at the court. Mas lalo tuloy akong naging ganado. Humalakhak ako at nag-apir kay Mavric.
The tension could already be felt in the first quarter. I am always heavily guarded by the captain himself. At sa tuwing siya naman ang nakakakuha ng bola, ako madalas ang humaharang habang nagsisigawan kaming mga player para magbigay ng suporta sa kung sinong may hawak sa bola.
Based on the captain's skills, he's really a good player. But his offense wasn't that hard to outsmart as I was screening him. Well, he looked so serious reading my movement just to get away from me that he was too open at the front and didn't realize how Mavric ran like a flash to his side, got the ball from his dribble, and ran to the ring.
"Here comes the flash again—Evander making a score! What a nice play coming from Evander!"
Nagsigawan agad ang lahat. Ang aming team ay nagpapakitaan pa ng mga muscles at nagsisigawan nang magkapuntos kaming muli.
"Mukhang agresibo ang Manila at ayaw bigyan ng panahong huminga ang Cebu," the commentator commented.
"Hindi pa tapos ang first quarter pero nakaka sampong puntos na agad! This team trained for this day! Mukhang sinasampal agad sa Cebu ang pagiging dayo!"
Namaywang ang captain at galit ang tingin sa amin. I laughed and raised my hands while running backwards.
"Easy... First quarter pa lang," I reminded.
"Nagsisimula na ba kayong maglaro, dude? Gumalaw naman kayo!" si Tyler na natatawang sinabi iyon.
I gave some high fives to my team while we were all content with our first performance. Pumalakpak si Coach at seryosong tumango tango habang ang kabilang coach ay napapailing at palakad lakad, hindi na maganda ang timpla ng mukha.
We were given a break for a while. Nagsitayo kami sa paligid ni coach ganoon din ang kabilang team at mukhang sinasabon pa yata.
"Brent, mukhang ikaw ang target nilang bantayan kaya sundin mo lang ang plano. At Mavric, manatili ka lagi sa pwesto mo. Tyler... 'yang bibig mo..." Itinuro ni coach ang bibig ni Tyler.
Tumikhim kami. Kung hindi lang pumito para sa susunod ulit na laro, masasabon pa yata si Tyler ni coach.
Nailing ako at napangisi na lamang doon. I know what he was trying to do! This asshole! S'yempre, kaninong specialty ba ang magpainit ng ulo? It's always him. If the opponent got pissed, they might go physical, which automatically serves as a foul. Mukhang iyon pa yata ang naglalaro sa isip ni Tyler.
"Cool it down, Tyler. Baka mabungi ka." Tapik ko sa balikat niya ngunit humalakhak siya.
"Nagtakip ako ng ilong, Brent. Tinanong ko lang naman kung naligo siya, anong masama doon?"
Gago? Humagalpak ako at parang kahit ako yata, kung ginawa niya iyon sa akin, baka hindi ko siya tatantanan buong laro.
When the game started again, the other team seemed to have made another strategy, as the captain was already leaving me open.
Nag-agawan ulit kami ng bola. Nakuha iyon ni Liam, dinribble patungo sa aming ring, ngunit naagaw ng kabila kaya nagsitakbuhan kami. He stopped and attempted a three-point shot, so I made a jump and slammed the ball so hard to block it that it only touch the side of the rim. Tyler immediately dribbled it back to our court while he was chased again.
At noong sinabi niyang talagang inaasar niya, I caught him pinching his nose when the other team raised his hand for a defense.
He was doing it how many times while we were leading. Halos natatambakan na namin sila dahil sumisemplang na ang laro.
Pumito ang referee at pinito si Liam for a committed offensive foul. Tinapik ni coach ang balikat ni Rick at sinenyasang pumasok sa court habang nakipag-apir kami kay Liam, iniilingan ito na ayos lang.
But then, Rick seems aggressive about the foul that he glared at Liam. Nagkatinginan kami ni Mav. His temper was really the worst when he was carrying his own baggage. But I know he would be more careful not to commit any fouls because he doesn't want to give the other team a chance to score on the free throw at least.
Tyler laughed as soon as Rick clicked his neck, as if he were trying to get ready for some war. The ball goes to the other team for a free throw. They're good shooters, and they made a score.
Noong magsimula ulit ang game, ramdam ko agad ang tensyon sa paraan ng paggalaw ni Rick.
"Here comes Vallejo holding the ball! Mabangis agad ang pasok—stealing the ball from Cornelio! Oh that body control he made is outstanding!" the commentator was narrating it in an aggressive way because of how Rick immediately grabbed the ball from the other team.
"Mukhang ibang bangis ang nabaon nitong si Vallejo!" the other commentator.
Tumakbo kami nila Mavric at Tyler sa para depensahan ang ibang humahabol, stopping for his attempt to score.
Dalawa agad ang naroon para pumigil sa kanya. Tumalon ang isa at nag-ambang depensahan ang opensa ni Rick. But it seems like Rick was so determined that the vigorous practice showed how we made as he jumped higher, used his left hand, and pushed the defense and player's head as he made a dunk into the rim!
"And look at that! A monstrous dunk from Vallejo!" sigaw ng commentator na ikinatili ng mga manonood.
The defense player fell to the ground on his back, while Rick's feet fell back on the ground as well, standing in between the player's head as he looked down and showed his smug expression.
"Nasagad pa yata ni Vallejo ang pasensya ni Cornelio. Halos madaganan siya ng paa ni Vallejo kanina noong matumba siya!"
Marahas siyang itinulak paalis ng player sa kinatatayuan ni Rick. Nag-amba pa itong sumugod ngunit pinigilan ng isa nilang team habang umaatras na itinaas ni Rick ang mga kamay sa mayabang na paraan.
I laughed and tapped his shoulder. Nagbungguan kami ng balikat at nagtanguan ganoon din sila Mavric at ang iba pa naming player.
"That's what you called a nice entrance! Cornelio got disrespected by Vallejo on the first quarter. Can you believe that?!" ang commentator na nagpaingay lalo ng mga manonood.
Our coach clapped while nodding at us. The other opponent's coach looked so stressed, pacing back and forth. Zero loss, huh?
When the referee signaled for a break in the second quarter, mabilis ang lapit namin kay Coach na pumaskil ang pagkamangha sa ekspresyon.
He continued explaining the next plans we have. Pinagpahinga ako ni coach at si Connor ang pinapasok sa sumunod na game. Sa kabilang team, pinalitan din ang captain na halos iritang umupo sa bench.
Nahanap niya ang mga mata ko at galit na titig ang isinukli. I only gave him a playful smile. Akala ko ba mag-aangasan kami? Kung laro ko ang kinabisado niya, pwes hindi pa rin siya makakalusot sa iba pa.
Hawak ang mineral water habang nakaupo ako sa bench, pinanood ko ang pagpito muli ng referee para sa pagsisimula ulit ng game, naging intense agad ang salitan ng bola.
"At nakuha agad ni Evander ang bola! Cornelio and Suarez chasing after him! Suarez trying to stop—and the flash gone feral!"
Evander made a high jump, then made an aggressive dunk, and his legs were almost put on the player's shoulder as he immediately fell to the floor.
"Evander getting into a beast mode! A beast mode! He slam dunked over Suarez!"
Napatayo kaming mga nakaupo at nagsigawan. Tumalsik pa ang tubig sa iniinom kong mineral water sa aking jersey ngunit nagtatalunan kami at manghang mangha habang nakaakbay sa isa't isa dahil sa ginawa ni Mavric!
"The flash turned into a bird! And turned into a beast! Evander! What a transition you've made!" ang commentator na parang sumigaw na rin yata sa mikropono kasabay ng hiyawan din ng mga manonood.
Napatayo agad iyong Suarez at itinulak si Mavric na kamuntik niya pang daganan sa mukha nang lumapat ang paa sa court. His face looked fully red that you knew he got not just offended but disrespected as a basketball player.
Mavric just laughed while walking out, as if nothing happened while he was being congratulated by our other players.
"This team is giving Cebu an unforgettable nightmare!" ang commentator.
"The menace of this team! Grabe! Evander just slapped the other team in a professional way as a basketball player! He got dunk over his face!" ang isa pang commentator na natatawa iyong sinabi.
Pinakita ang replay sa screen at doon kitang kita ang mukha noong player na halos masira at napapikit habang sumobsob sa gitna ng hita ni Mavric dahil sa bwelo nitong pagtalon.
"Mukhang dunk contest yata ito! They dunk not just once, but already thrice! The Manila team is disrespecting the Cebu in the court professionally! Ramdam mo ang galit kay Coach Alfredo dahil mukhang kinakawawa ang team niya."
"Meanwhile Coach Josson seems so calm. Kahit siya hindi makapaniwalang parang mga hayop na nakawala ang alaga niya! He looked so stunned by their movements!"
"Kalmado si Coach Josson habang si Coach Alfredo ay mukhang mananapak na ang galit sa mukha! Imagine the travel they made to play here for the finals. Pero mukhang hindi yata papayag ang Manila."
Nabigyan ulit ng break. Lamang agad kami sa second quarter at tinambakan na ang kabila. Nakakailang puntos pa lamang sila galing sa free throw habang kami ay lagpas bente na ngayong quarter. Whews. Zero loss? Talaga ba?
On the third quarter, si Ronan na ang ipinalit kay Angelo. Now it was Mavric, Rick, Tyler, Ronan, and Connor.
Swabe ang galaw ni Ronan, ngunit sa liksi ng kilos ng mga mata, alam mong may binabantayan lang. He was glancing at the captain from time to time, and it looked like he was aiming to crush his ego too.
Practice pa lang, isa na sa usapan naming anim na hindi namin sisikuhin, ngunit gagamitin namin ang laro para siya mismo ang mawala sa kompustura niya at mapauwing umiiyak pabalik sa Cebu. S'yempre yupi rin ang mukha niya pagkatapos ng game!
"Umaatake na naman si flash. Evander passing the ball to the newly entered Veniel. Bautista trying to screen him—Veniel throwing the ball—A three-point shot coming straight from Veniel effortlessly!" the commentator shouted. We stood again and screamed hysterically.
"That was smooth! Para lang napadaan sa liga itong si Veniel at inutusang ibalik ang gumulong na bola! Instead, he shot it on the ring where he was standing!"
"Mabangis ang team na 'to. Mukhang may planong tambakan ang Cebu! Gusto yatang pauwiing luhaan!"
Nagyayakapan na kami ni Tyler at nagtatalunan habang humagalpak at gulat na gulat. Ronan made a smooth dance when the song boomed while rolling his hands and stepping backward as he nodded at the captain, teasing it.
"Gago! Kung ako niyan iiyak ako! Nasa harap mo pero naka tatlong puntos!" hiyaw ni Tyler at mas tumawa kami.
Their coach took his cap out of his head and slammed it on the floor. Ang kalahating panot niyang buhok ay pinasadahan niya ng haplos habang galit na galit ang tingin sa kanyang team at sumisigaw na.
"Wala na! Nalalagas na ang buhok noong coach, oh!" Tyler pointed out, and we all laughed hysterically.
"Dude gago!" Batok sa kanya ni Liam ngunit tawang tawa lalo na't kami lamang ang nagkakarinigan dahil sa ingay sa Arena.
The game resumed again, so we tried to settle down while we were still laughing about the anger of their coach.
"Coach Josson! Nagshade ka dapat! Para mas chill kang tingnan!" si Tyler.
Nilingon kami ni Coach sa bangko ngunit dahil kita niyang wala nang pag-asang makahabol ang kabila, nailing at natawa sa amin.
"Kung biniro mo 'yan habang natatambakan tayo, baka kahit sa susunod na laro bangko ka," natatawang bulong ni Nick.
When the commentator announced that Connor had scored, we stood and flexed our muscles while nodding, acting like strong warriors descended straight from heaven to defeat all the demons on earth.
Twenty-nine points in the third quarter were all thanks to Ronan and Connor. On the fourth quarter, saka ako muling pinapasok ni coach to sub Connor. Ako, si Rick, Mavric, Ronan, at Tyler ngayon ang naglaro.
We gave each other some high fives. All twenties na 'yung nauna naming tatlong quarter. Twenty-nine was the highest. They can't keep up anymore. But of course, we are not yet done crushing their egos. Mukhang tinandaan nila ang bawat mukha na nasa video and those were the players we dunked on.
When the game started again, the crowd was so loud, cheering for us. Nagmamaktol na ang kabilang coach at mukhang amoy na ang pagkakatalo dahil natatambakan sila sa bawat quarter, at sa galit ng titig ng mga player sa amin, alam kong masyado silang naagrabyado sa korte para tumingin sa amin nang ganoon.
In the first twenty seconds, I immediately made a three-point shot. On the twelveth second, it was Ronan who smoothly made another three-point shot. And for five seconds, I scored another one.
"Veniel and Jarsdel are competing against each other! Mukhang nakakalimutan na yata ng team na 'to na ang Cebu ang kalaban nila!"
"Mukhang mahaba-habang training ang gagawin ng Cebu after this game. Manila devoured them in all quarters! At isang minuto pa lang sa fourth quarter, nagpapaangasan na agad ang Manila!"
"Coach Alfredo looked so offended. Kanina pa sumisigaw at parang magwawala na yata. Mukhang mahaba-habang sabon ang gagawin sa players."
"And Coach Josson getting a massage from Cervando and the rest of the team fanning him while sitting on the bench! Napaka chill! He knew the Cebu couldn't keep up! And look at that, another two-point shot from Jarsdel!"
I stuck my tongue out while fanning my jersey against my abs. Lumabas ako sa screen kaya todo hiyawan ang manonood. Tumapat din ang camera sa team namin sa bench na maangas pang nagsayawan at pinagmamayabang ang jersey na suot habang si Tyler, patuloy ang pagmamasahe kay coach na umiinom ng tubig.
We were so playful that the other team was shouting in full disappointment. Hindi lamang iyon, ramdam na ang angasan.
When the game resumed and Mavric immediately dribbled the ball, instead of getting screened, he received a personal foul by the defense player, who grabbed his jersey.
Pumito agad ang referee at sumenyas ng foul. Mavric looked at the player with mockery.
"Bakit nanghahawak? Tipo mo ako?" he joked and laughed.
Sa iritasyon ng player, nag-aamba pang lapitan si Mavric habang tumawa si Mav at itinuro ito habang tumingin sa kanilang team.
"Tipo siguro ako ng kagrupo niyo! Nice taste, anyways..." he mocked, and we only laughed about it while the other team looked so offended, lalong lalo na ang captain.
We resumed the game again. This time, I was playing seriously. Doble na ang bilis ko kumpara sa naunang quarter. I would always be screened by the captain. Tinanguan ko siya at nginisihan.
"Zero loss to zero shoot? Nice," saka ko iyon ipinasa agad kay Ronan.
Itinakbo ni Ronan ang bola, ngunit nakuha ng kabilang team at itinakbo agad sa kabila. Sumugod kami ni Mavric. Pinasa nila sa captain ang bola. And as he ran and attempted a dunk, Mavric jumped behind him and blocked the ball by slamming his hand and giving it to my side.
"A powerful block from Evander! And here comes Jarsdel again, on the loose! Running on the other side! Being chased by Celera and Hernandez, Bautista inserting himself again for a block! Jarsdel passing the ball to Cervando. Cervando passing the ball to Veniel—shooting it on the rim—Bautista blocking it again! Cervando jumping again! Palaban si Bautista at nadepensahan ulit! And here comes Evander joining the rebounding! Bautista getting the ball again! Straight for five seconds, Bautista trying to block! And here comes Jarsdel catching the ball—and bang!"
He was open at the back so I got the momentum to jump as high as I could and used my other hand to reach for the ram as my other hand caught the ball and slammed it in. Sa lakas ng bwelo ko, the captain was tossed harshly out of the court and lost his balance.
Ang maangas na intro ng isang kanta na parang maririnig sa wrestling ni John Cena ay sumabog kasabay ng malakas na tili ang pinakawalan ng crowd. My teammates hugged my chest while I looked at the captain with a smug expression as the commentator screamed loudly.
Ronan and Tyler jokingly raised each of my hands as if I had won a boxing match against the captain and knocked him out. Tumingin kami sa banda nila Shiloh na nakatayo na ang mga naroon at nalalaglag ang panga habang nagtatalunan ang mga kaibigan naming girls.
"Jarsdel just killed Bautista! Nagtayuan lahat at nagkakagulo at mukhang maraming witness si Bautista kung paano siya nilibing ng buhay ni Jarsdel! He did not just overpower Bautista, but he slammed him while making a dunk!"
"Brent Matthew Jarsdel just sent someone in the afterlife! He killed Bautista! Grabeng tira 'yon! Sa sobrang lakas, pati si Bautista tumalsik at parang sa langit agad nakarating!"
"Bautista was not just tortured, but murdered! They are not going easy on him! They are aiming to kill him! And Jarsdel just buried him alive in the court!"
"What a powerful dunk after eight seconds of rebounding! Jarsdel put him in his place! Bautista's blocks were blocked by another powerful dunk of Jarsdel!"
"The beast of the beast! He devoured him! Kahit ang buto mukhang hindi pinalampas ni Jarsdel at nilamon si Bautista nang buo!"
"Pinagtulungan si Bautista! And Jarsdel didn't hesitate to bring him down! Literal na bumaba si Bautista!"
Sa sobrang lakas ng hiyawan at nagkakagulo pa sila Mavric na pinagyayakap din agad ako habang sumasayaw at gumugulong na ang team naming nasa bench, ang kalaban ay halos manlumo nang tingnan kami.
"Brent tumira, napatay si Bautista!" halakhak ni Mavric na ginatungan pa talaga.
"Hindi mo man lang binigyan ng tsansang huminga! Ganyan nga!" si Tyler na pinisil pisil pa ang balikat ko.
Nakipag-apir ako sa iilan at napangisi kahit humahalo ang galit sa akin ganoon din ang yabang. Galit dahil hindi iyon sapat, at yabang dahil gusto kong ipakita sa kanya ang bagong grupong pinasukan ni Shiloh.
We were so hyper while the other team was the opposite.
"Tayo, Ritz!" One of his teammates tried to help him stand because their captain lay on the floor while covering his eyes.
Pinatayo siya ng mga teammates niya na siniko niya pa ang ilan, dinampot ang bola at maangas na itinapon sa akin. His teammates immediately stopped him while I looked at him with pure smugness on my face.
Nag-amba siyang sumugod at humiyaw.
"Gago ka!" he shouted aggressively while his teammate stopped him from coming to me while the referee stood between us.
"Parang bangkay na nabuhay si Bautista, Brent!" sigaw ni Tyler at nanunuyang humalakhak.
I only laughed, but at the same time, seeing how the perpetrator of Shiloh was unable to even defeat us just showed that he would never touch him again. At sisiguraduhin kong kahit ang pagsusuot niya ng jersey ay ikakahiya niya dahil magmamarka sa isip niya ang ginawa namin sa kanya sa court habangbuhay.