The boys are preparing for their volleyball game. Katabi ko ngayon si Brice na nanonood sa kanilang mag stretching.
“Aiby.” He called my name so I immediately looked at him.
“Yes?”
“Do you really think that we made the right decision? Let Alpha win and we’ll place second?” He asked me while he’s still watching the boys.
I sighed. “Right or not, it doesn’t matter. It’s still too early to catch the eyes of the Alpha’s parents.”
It’s not that we’re afraid. It’s just that we will face them when we are already equipped with everything we need. How can we even compete with them if they’re advanced in studying, trained in sports and have a wide connection.
He nodded. “Let’s do our best to keep winning against Beta, Charlie and Delta. Step by step.”
I smiled and returned my eyes to the boys. Nagulat ako when I saw Keith looking at me intensely. Brice stood up and went to the boys.
“I’ll play. Let Claud rest.” Biglang sinabi ni Brice at inayos ang salamin with his middle finger.
Our worlds stopped and we even forgot to breathe. The girls behind me gasped and the boys dropped the ball they’re holding.
“E-Ehhhh!” Sabay sabay nilang sigaw.
Fabian raised his hand. “I’ll play for Graig.”
“E-Ehhhh!” Mas lalong lumakas ang pagsigaw namin.
“K-Kaya mo ba?... Kaya niyo?” Ivo asked them.
They both nodded.
Earl also stood up. “Ako na kay Ayer.”
Napanganga naman ang boys habang ang girls sa likuran ko ay hindi pa maprocess ang nangyayare.
“Ikaw?” Aldo cleared his throat. “I mean, sige ikaw pa ba?” Tumawa siya.
They used the remaining time to practice for receiving. They keep telling Brice what to do and what he should avoid. Hindi daw muna papalo si Brice.
The game started at si Fabian daw ang gagawin nilang setter habang si Brice naman ang libero.
“Kanina pa ko nagdadasal dito.” Biglang sabi sakin ni Blanca sa tabi ko.
Napalingon naman ako sa kanya. “Ano pinagdadasal mo? Gumaling si Ayer?”
Blanca shook her head. “No! I’m praying for the boys. Baka mamaya kung ano anong math formula ang binubulong ni Brice mamaya. Marining yun nila Ivo sige ka, baka himatayin mga yun.”
Nagulat naman ako sa sinabi niya habang si Asra ay humahalakhak. “Si Fabian! Baka kung ano anong trashtalk ang sabihin niya sa Alpha.”
“Huh? Trashtalker si Fabian? Mabait yan ah.” Tanong ko kay Asra.
She crossed her arms and nodded. “Mabait yan tapos ang cute cute pa. Pero grabe yan pag naglalaro kami, iiyak kalaban o kakampe.”
“Sabagay, kahit siya ang mukhang baby sa room siya lagi sumasaway sa boys.” Blanca added.
Yeah, Fabian has a baby face but he’s more strict than Aldo.
“First point of the game, setter dump by Aiden!!’ Sigaw ng commentator.
Imbis na mag hiyawan ang tao, almost all of them booed Fabian. Even Alpha glared at him.
Fabian turned his back to Alpha and flashed a big smile. Humalakhak naman ang mga boys sa kanya.
“Grabe Fabian! Wala ka ba magawa!” Sigaw nila Ely habang tumatawa.
Fabian is playing the game with a big smile kaya times 2 ang irita ng Alpha. He always tosses to the person you least expected.
“Brice!” Sigaw naming lahat kay Brice when we saw the ball coming to his direction.
Pinagsiklop niya ang kanyang kamay at pinatama sa braso niya. The ball didn’t fly high, that's why Keith immediately ran to his side and passed the ball to Ivo.
Ivo jumped and spiked the ball but he was blocked.
The tempo they have is much faster than the women’s volleyball. Maybe because boys are much stronger to us physically.
Brice is helping them with receiving. I can see that he is eager to help the team but I’m sorry Brice I can’t help but laugh.
“Brice, ano yan!!” Sigaw nila Blanca.
Brice received the ball pero papunta naman ito sa referee. Thank God that the referee has fast reflexes.
“Ano Brice san ba gusto pumunta ng bola mo!” Sigaw nila Ely uli dahil pumuntang audience ang bola.
Every 5 minutes ata ay tumatawa kami dahil kay Brice.
Tinuro ni Blanca sila Ayer sa bench. “Tignan mo yung mga yun oh!”
Liningon ko sila at tawang tawa ko when I saw them in that state. Ayer is holding his abdomen while his one hand is on his mouth while laughing. Si Claud naman ay panay hampas niya kay Graig. Si Graig naman ay pasimpleng tumatawa at tinutulak si Claud.
Fabian keeps tossing the ball to the least spiker Alpha expected. That’s why their play is working against Alpha. With the stability Keith has, Aldo’s endurance, Ivo’s power, Earl’s swift movements and Brice… uhm strategy?
Nahihirapan ang Alpha sa kanila. Still, Alpha won the first set.
And now, they’re doing they’re best playing for the 2nd set. They’re panting heavily at dinadaan na lang sa biro ang mga errors.
Aldo received the ball. Fabian rushed to the other side and tossed the ball up high for Keith. Keith managed to spike the ball past the blockers. Alpha’s libero still managed to receive it.
Ivo received the ball and Fabian tossed it to Earl na nakatalon na. Earl hit the ball fast with his right hand.
The ball hit the ground at lumakas ang hiyawan naming lahat.
When Earl landed, he looked at the boys and shouted. “Ahh, potangina!”
“Nice one Earl!” Sabay sabay naming sigaw at natawa sa mga reaction nila.
I can see that they’re enjoying the game. Pati na rin ang mga commentators ay natutuwa na lang sa game.
“Keith!” Fabian called Keith and tossed the ball.
Keith took a step and jumped for the ball. May sumabay sa kanyang isang blocker pero tinuloy niya pa rin paluin iyon.
The ball didn’t touch the blocker. Dumiretso iyon papuntang kay Niccolo. Walang time para makapag ready si Niccolo kaya dumaan ito sa gilid mismo ng mukha niya.
The ball already hit the ground but Niccolo hasn't moved yet.
“Ooooh.” Sabay sabay na sabi ng boys. Ramdam mo ang pang aasar sa tono na ginamit nila.
Niccolo stood up straight and glared at Keith. Binalik ko ang tingin kay Keith na nakatingin sakin.
“Payback.” He mouthed.
After all their efforts, the game ended with a 2 points lead by the Alpha. They congratulate each other. Walang katahimikan because we all enjoyed the game.
Alpha is the champion for Men’s volleyball.