Dawn comes upon Toledo
And awake is Mark Mercado
Another game for the championship
To swish yet another net
Mark gets up from the bed and does jumping jacks.
‘Even though I can’t exhaust myself for the games ahead, I have to be active still.’
The noise he makes doesn’t escape his buddies.
“Already?” Justin says as he looks up to see Mark doing his thing.
Cesar gets up and joins Mark in doing jumping jacks.
“This is how we win championships,” says Cesar. “Through hard work, dedication, and discipline. Join us, Justin.”
Justin lifts his head up to see them, “Ughh. Y’all do it. I need sleep.”
“Hopia’, lumpia’, humba’, isda’
Hopia’, lumpia’, humba’, isda’
Hopia’, lumpia’, humba’, isda’
Kan’a dayon para di’ kan’on sa ilaga’” says the exercising gentlemen.
(Hopia’, lumpia’, humba’, isda’
Hopia’, lumpia’, humba’, isda’
Hopia’, lumpia’, humba’, isda’
Eat them before the rat could”)
“Ok fine. I’ll join you,” says Justin.
“Sukol, sukol, hangtod mabukol
Sukol, sukol, hangtod mabukol
Sukol, sukol, hangtod mabukol
Ayg palupig, wagtanga ang imong kagu’ol” says the trio.
(Defy, defy, until you bump your head
Defy, defy, until you bump your head
Defy, defy, until you bump your head
Don’t back down, relinquish your sadness)
They finish their exercise with, “OOORRAAAHH!!”
Then a knock on the door startles them. They open the door and see George.
“Are you guys ok in there?”
“Yeah, dad. We’re just exercising.”
“Ok. Just please take it down a notch. We don’t want our neighbors to be disturbed especially this early in the morning.”
“Don’t worry, dad. We’re done exercising. We won’t make any more noise.”
“Good. I’ll call you guys when breakfast is ready. Or you could go to the living room and talk there. Y’all are cramped here.”
“Yes, dad.”
George smiles at them, “I’m gonna attend to my cooking.” And he walks off.
The boys take a bath and then back to the room. Mark reads the Bible on his phone and the others join in with him.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“So, where are we currently?” says Justin.
“Uhm, I’m at… let’s see… Oh, I’m at 1 John 3 for the New Testament,” replies Mark.
“Let’s hear it,” says Cesar.
So Mark reads the chapter and the others listen. It speaks of righteousness and sin— that whoever sins is of the Devil and whoever does what is right is righteous just like Jesus. Nevertheless, if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts. And if we believe in Jesus and love one another, he remains in us and we in him. The Spirit will reveal to us that he remains in us.
“Wow, that fed my Spirit up. Thank you, Mark,” says Justin.
“All glory to God,” Mark replies. “Now I’m physically famished. Let’s eat.”
“I’m huungry,” says Cesar.
The trio laughs.
Not long after, The trio goes downstairs for their meal.
And there awaits them… a fried liempo (a fried pork belly).
“Ayayayayaaayy!!” says Mark.
George smiles while looking at his enthusiastic son with his friends.
“Thank you for the meal, uncle,” says Cesar.
“Your welcome,” replies George. “You’ll need it before your game starts. Anyways, where do you plan to play today?”
“Oh, we’re gonna play here in Toledo at nine o’clock.”
“I see. I’ll drop you off at the Barba when you’re ready to go.”
“Thank you, uncle.”
So, they eat what they’ve been given. Some trivial talks precipitate among them and they are jolly with each other until…
“Uncle, you shouldn't be drinking,” says Justin jokingly. His friends look at him as if he’d done something wrong.
“Don’t be insensitive, you’re too frank,” whispers Cesar to him.
“Oh, am I? Well, I’m sorry, uncle. I don’t mean to offend.”
“It’s ok, Justin,” says George. “I see that you’re rightly concerned.” With a sigh, George says, “But this is the path I have chosen to take. I can’t even turn from it if I want to.”
“Well, I think you can, uncle,” says Justin. “It’s never too late to change while we’re still alive.”
“It’s really not a matter of when, Justin, it’s a matter of if I’m willing. I’m not and never will be.”
Silence overwhelms the dining room. George’s plate is empty, so he stands up and puts it in the sink.
“I’ll change clothes and after that, I’ll be in the car. I’ll be waiting there.”
And George goes up the stairs and into his room.
“I’ll go change too,” says Cesar. “I’ll use the bathroom for it.”
“Me too,” says Mark and Justin.
After they change clothes, they get in the car wearing their jerseys for the game ahead.
“Are y’all ready for the game?” says George.
“We’re ready, uncle,” says Cesar.
“Let’s get you there.”
They drive off towards the Barba which is not that far from where they are. The company is just silent all the way to their destination. They finally arrive at the Barba and the boys get out of the car.
“Good luck out there, guys,” says George.
“With the strength given to us by God, we will win, uncle,” says Cesar.
George just nods and smiles at him. They close the doors and George drives off.
“We’ve got a game of rivals ahead of us. Let’s get them,” says Cesar.
They get into the Barba Sports Complex and meet up with their teammates.
Kevin meets them first and says, “Good to see you, guys. I heard that our opponent is your rival. I heard also that you, Mark, won against them last year with a buzzer-beater three-pointer. I doubt it will be close since I’m here haha.”
“Granted that you’re in our squad, there’s no doubt that we’ll have a blowout against them,” says Cesar. “But let’s not underestimate them. Their rosters may not have significant change, but they have an indomitable spirit. They’re not to be taken lightly. Let’s just give them our best and the best outcome will happen.
“Dang, Cesar. You don’t have to preach haha. But you’re right. We have to give them our best and not give them a slight advantage. I’m with you in this fight, master.”
“At ease soldier, we’ll do this together.”
The four companions laugh while walking to their other teammates.
Coach Perez then meets them, “We’ll win easy in this one, fellas. But let’s get everything disciplined and be aggressive. We’ll have to adapt to their defense since they’ll use zone defense, but we know how to deal with it so suck it up. Now warm yourselves up, Warriors.”