We’re all walking papuntang volleyball court para sa laban naming mga girls. Nakapag prepare na rin kami at hihintayin na lang lumipas ang oras.
It’s a relief that after they lose the game, hindi ganun ka-awkward. Napagusapan na rin naman na namin tungkol sa mga laro. We decided to do our best and enjoy the game. Brice also told them last week that according to sir Rio, our class will not win.
Because it is the wish of Niccolo’s father. But deep inside we all know that we’re still not ready.
Well, thanks to him. Hindi na kami mag eeffort magpatalo. Kidding aside, Alpha is strong in both studies and sports because the school spent every effort to train them.
Gusto sana naming sabihin kay Sir Rio na we’ll win 2-3 games and the overall champion will be the Alpha. Before we could even negotiate, it’s already decided.
Soon, we’ll win.
“Aiby!” Sigaw sakin ng mga kateam ko na nagpagising sakin. Nasa game nga pala ako!
I shook my head and kept my eyes to the ball. I rushed to my left and bent my knees to receive it.
“Nice receive!” Sigaw nilang lahat habang si Asra ay nasa harapan na parehas nakataas ang dalawang kamay.
Blanca jumped at pinalo ng malakas ang bola. She attempted for a wipe pero hindi iyon pumasok.
“Outside!” Sigaw ng commentator.
Blanca clicked her tongue at tumalikod palapit sa pwesto niya. Tumingin naman ako sa kalaban namin and I saw Jessica looking at us proudly.
“Come on girls! Fighting!” Sigaw nila Iris, Rave at Ely sa bench.
This is the match point for the first set. If Alpha got this point, sa kanila ang set na ito.
“Go Twilla!” Sigaw namin nang makita na bu-bwelo siya para pumalo.
She jumped at kasabay niya si Jessica at isa pang taga Alpha. Pinalo ito ng malakas ni Twilla but we didn’t expect she would be blocked.
“Alpha won the first set! What a strong block by Jessica Lopez!” Sigaw ng commentator habang nag hihiyawan ng Alpa.
Twilla rolled her eyes nang makatalikod siya. We changed courts and the second set will start.
We’re barely hanging thanks to Ella’s receive and Asra’s toss. Inannounce kanina sa ng commentator na 3 pala sa Alpha ang nasa junior volleyball team for our country!
Just, what the hell diba?
Blanca received the ball for Asra to toss it to Deborah. With the power she had in her left hand, she spiked the ball to the right of the blockers. Alpha’s libero received it at si Jessica ang pumalo.
She’s aiming for a line shot kaya hinabol pa namin ito. Natapik ito ni Ely pero hindi ito naging mataas. Ella run to help Ely at pinataas ang bola.
I took a step back pang buwelo. Tumalon ako and I have one blocker. Pinalo ko ito at dumaan ang bola between her arms.
Alpha thought I will be blocked kaya walang nakasalo ng bola. We celebrated dahil nakalamang kami ngayon sa Alpha.
“Hindi ko naririnig si Ayer.” Bulong ni Blanca habang nakatingin kami sa kabilang net.
Tumango na lamang ako sa kanya. Naalala ko ang sugat na meron si Ayer, hindi lang labi kundi pati sa gums.
Kaya ngayon, sila Claud na lamang ang sumisigaw. Tamang palakpak at patunog ng bote si Ayer.
Match point na namin at nasa Alpha ang bola. Nakahanda kaming lahat para saluhin ang papaluin nila.
Mabibingi na ang tenga ko sa lakas ng sigaw ng mga tao para sa Alpha. I think only echo and Rave’s fanboys lang ang nag ch-cheer samin.
Alpha’s setter tosses the ball. Agad tumalon si Deborah at Ely sa spiker but no, it’s a fake. Agad hinanap ng mata ko ang isa pang naghahanda tumalon.
I jumped in front of her. I saw how her eyes widened before she could hit the ball. I could feel the ball force in my wrist.
“W-What a block by Ms. Flammia!” Sigaw ng commentator.
I landed and I saw how Jessica's eyes glared at me. Grabeng pagpigil ko sa sarili ko para hindi siya ngisian harap harapan.
I turned my back and whispered. “Payback.”
“Wooo grabe yon mommy Aiby!” Nangingibabaw na sigaw ni Claud.
Natatawa na lang kami dahil sa kanila. Nag fl-flying kiss pa si Earl para kay Rave. Todo hampas namang to si Ayer at Ivo.
“Last set.” Sabi samin ni Ella.
We nodded and took a deep breath. Kaya to!
Our third set started. Ella receives the balls high as she can. Asra tosses the ball to us. I don’t want to turn a blind eye.
“Twilla, you still have a tennis game later.” Tawag ko kay twilla.
“You too, Deborah.” I looked at Deborah.
Finals din nila mamaya sa Tennis. I don’t want to tire them out. Lumingon ako sa bench at nakitang nakaupo si Rave at Ely.
Before Alpha could serve the ball, I called for a time out.
“Rave Ely, pasok kayo. Labas natin si Deborah at Twilla.” Sabi sa kanila and they all agreed.
“B-But I can still play.” Twilla pouted.
“You need to reserve your energy.” I smiled at them and patted Twilla’s head.
“Ako bahala sa kanila.” Iris saluted. Natawa naman kaming lahat dahil sa ginawa niya.
The game resume at 10-13 ang score namin. Lamang ang Alpha ng tatlo at ngayon sila pa ang mag se-serve.
Thankfully, kay Ella ito napunta kaya nareceive niya ito ng maayos. Asra tosses it to my side. Tumalon ako to spike it but I was blocked.
Their fans dominated my ear. Wala na kong narinig na iba pa kundi Alpha. I could already see the smiles they have.
“Sorry.” I apologized to my team.
They tapped my shoulder saying it’s okay. Binalik ko ang tingin sa kalaban. Napatingin naman ako kay Jessica na malapad ang ngiti na nakatingin sa audience.
“Damn, naiirita ako kay Jessica.” Biglang bulong ni Blanca.
“If I could just wipe the smile she has on her face.” Asra added.
Natawa naman si Rave sa kanila. “Ay, mga bitter kayo girls.” Sabay naman kami ni Rave natawa habang nakasimangot sila.
Alpha served the ball at sa kasamaang palad, napakalakas non. Still, Rave managed to receive it kahit hindi ganun kaayos.
“Sorry!” Sigaw niya.
Malayo si Asra kung nasaan ang bola kaya ako ang lumapit and I set it for Ely. Pinalo iyon ni Ely pero nareceive ito ng Alpha. They aim to the back of our side.
Ella dived para makuha ang bola followed by Asra tossing it for me. I spiked it with all my might wishing for the body pains to disappear.
I aimed for a line shot but they even got the ball up. Their setter tossed it for Jessica. Jessica hit the ball while I kneeled with my right knee and received her ball.
She glared at me.
I just stared at her. Well, I don’t know if I should provoke her.
Asra tossed it for Blanca. Alpha received it again.
The tempo of our rally is slowly increasing. We keep standing, running and hitting the ball as fast as we can.
Because of this long rally, I could feel that I was already exhausted.
I jumped to block Jessica’s ball. The ball bounced in my hand at napunta ito sa likuran ng court nila.
Jessica and I landed on the floor, looking where the ball landed.
Please, let it be inside.
I kept repeating it inside my head.
Please, inside.
We can still play.
I can push my body to surpass my limits
“Inside!”
“Outside!”
Kung ano ano ang isinisigaw ng mga tao. Before I knew it, the commentator also shouted.
“O-Outside! Congratulations to Alpha!”
Nag sigawan ang lahat dahil sa sinabi ng commentator. I turned my back and I saw how my girls smiled at me.
It’s okay.
Alpha is the champion for women’s volleyball.