A Hundred Boys and A Girl

Chapter 23: First Game: Hot Sauce (Part 2)

*Raven's POV*

"What was that?" I asked them hysterically when we reached the locker room assigned for them.

"That was a game princess," nakangiting saad ni Zach at ginulo ang buhok ko. Pilosopo din to eh.

"But--" my drama was cut off because Coach came.

"Nice game guys," he said.

I dropped my jaw on the floor. Seryoso siya? Anong "nice" sa 37-24 at lamang ang kalaban? Can somebody explain what on Earth is happening?

I was still looking like a dork when Vince stood up. "It's now the second half. Guards make the defense stronger, rebounds are important especially when the other had points, more points should be acquired. When you get the ball while it's open, don't hesitate." he said. Ngayon, nakikita ko na ang captain ng L.A varsity, ang rason kung bakit sila ang defending champs.

"Lim, Lopez and Garcia substitute Dawson, Lavine and Benedicto." dagdag ni Coach.

At nagsimula na silang magplano para sa second half. Mukha ngang hindi sila nalalamangan eh.

"Idol, ano bang nangyayari? Bakit hindi kayo affected na 13 points na ang lamang ng kabila?" I asked clearly confused. Tumawa lang siya nang bahagya.

"It's some kind of, let's say, a trick," a trick? How could losing be a trick?

I guess he saw my confusion, so he explained further. "It's not your typical trick-- physical. It's psychological." sabi niya na mas ikinalito ko. Ano daw? "You see, our coach took up psychology and our captain is a witty freak. There are times in the middle of the game where we let our guard down. It gives confidence to the other team. Sa susunod na quarter or half ay magiging kampante sila at doon na sila hahabol ng puntos kasi akala nila mahina ang defense namin. That's when we strengthen our defense and offense." he said and smiled to me with pride.

I never thought that they can think of basketball this complicated. Amazing.

Minutes after they started to stretch and readied themselves to play.

"Let's go guys," walang emosyon na sabi nya at lumabas na.

Hindi ko maiwasang isipin yung sinabi niya sa akin kanina. Ano bang problema niya? Dami talagang alam ng loko.

Lumabas na kami sa locker room nila. Sabay kaming naglalakad ni Troy nang naalala ko ang phone ko. Naiwan ko sa upuan ko.

"Troy, mauna ka na, naiwan ko kasi ang phone ko,"

"You sure?" he asked and I just nodded. "Bilisan mo ah. Baka mamiss ka namin." dagdag niya.

Kaya ayun naglakad na ako pabalik ng locker room. Pero bago ako nakarating ay may narinig akong nagtatawanan.

"Nakita mo ba yung mukha nung captain nila? Epic!"

"Oo nga, lalo na nung nalampasan ko yung defense niya!"

"Akala ko MVP yun? Eh tama pala yung chismis na halos ma-lumpo na yun!"

Wait-- si Vince ba ang pinag-uusapan nila? Aba't! Nagloloko ba sila? Anong mukha? He didn't even move a muscle on his face while playing!

Ewan ko ba pero hindi ko na napigilan ang pagtawa ko. I know they're looking at my direction, now.

"Teka-- di ba ikaw yung babaeng baliw na grabe mag--cheer sa kabila?" tanong ng isa.

"Ah talaga? Kung sa tingin mo epic ang face ni Vince kanina--aba, ikaw ang loko sa ating dalawa!" I snapped at him. Sinabihan ba daw naman akong baliw.