The Maaravi Warriors team practices with drills of shooting, dribbling, and penetrating into the paint. And all of these the new guy excels, Mark is just wide-eyed with what he can do.
“What a freak of nature,” says Mark to Justin.
“Yeah. If we would make the most OP player in NBA2k, it would be him,” Justin replies.
“With that height, he could do what a guard would do.”
“Do you realize how old he is?” says someone.
They turn to see who said it.
“Cesar,” Mark says. “Do you know how old he is?.”
“Yes. By my furtherest investigation when we were walking towards this court we're standing, when our feet and legs are exerting their energies coming here, and whe-.”
“Stop right there, Cesar,” Justin says with a chuckle. “You don't need to do us like that, man. We're going nowhere with what you're saying.”
Cesar laughs slapping his lap and says, “I'm just kidding with y'all. But what I'm not kidding is that that kid will be in the NBA.”
'NBA? ' Mark thinks while taking a glance at Kevin.
“How old is he, Cesar?” Mark says to Cesar as he turns to him.
Cesar takes a glance at Kevin and says, “Didn’t you hear what the Coach said? He’s thirteen years old.”
Justin's eyes widen and says, “Thirteen? So he's in grade seven?
“Precisely,” Cesar says.
“With that skillset?”
“Yep, a complete hooper. One thing's lacking though, he can't guard strong centers like Managaytay from Charlemagne Pitbulls. But I'm sure he'll block their shots and even give them a strong contest. Our defense will improve because of him and our offense will pour out like water, we'll be unstoppable.
“Plus, this kid is a champion in the Toledo Elementary Interschool Games. I have not seen him play yet but he sure has potential. I hope he will not have an injury. Nevertheless, we'll be a strong contender for the championship.”
After practicing their drills, the Coach finally let them do a five-on-five scrimmage as their last activity of practice. Team A consists of Justin Banderas as point guard, Mark Mercado as shooting guard, Gerald Porio as small forward, Jerwin Caballero as power forward, and Daniel Botanas as center; Team B consists of Kyle Aguas as point guard, Ben Suarez as shooting guard, Cesar Owens as small forward, Kevin Rebias as power forward, and Fred Berjame as center. The game is set for five minutes in four quarters.
“Play ball, guys,” the Coach says as he prepares to lob the ball high for the jump ball.
The moment is quiet and still, the two centers look at the ball intently while the others prepare themselves for the action.
Coach Perez tosses the ball high and Berjame got the better out of Botanas. He tips the ball, landing into the hands of Aguas.
The game begins.
Team A 0:0 Team B
5:00 on the clock
Mark's team retreats on defense against the incoming attackers. Aguas handles the ball across the court signaling to his teammates the play they will execute. Aguas passes the ball to Suarez at the wing while he screens for Rebias. Rebias then uses the screen and runs to screen for Suarez who uses it. Suarez drives the ball to the paint, leaving his defender behind. He sees Caballero in front of him with Porio by the low post, so he passes the ball to Cesar at the corner and shoots an uncontested three. The first bucket belongs to him.
Team A 0:3 Team B
4:47 on the clock
Caballero inbounds the ball to Justin. He dribbles the ball over the half-court. Caballero then gives Justin a screen which he uses. Caballero rolls towards the basket expecting a pass but Justin hesitates.
'Dang, this rookie Rebias has slenderman arms,' Justin thinks. 'I can't pass it to Jerwin without him intercepting it.'
Botanas gives an off-ball screen for Mark. Mark uses the screen, sprinting towards the rim. Justin sees an opportunity and passes the ball to Mark. With the ball in his hands, Mark tries to lay it up.
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
'My first bucket for the day. Easy,' Mark thinks.
But as he stretches his hand with the ball in it, Rebias's hand stretches over him.
'Well, so much for my confidence.'
Rebias blocks the ball and goes towards Botanas at the top.
'He can't stop me,’ Mark thinks.
Mark cuts towards the corner and he's left alone without a defender. Botanas passes him the ball and Mark shoots it for three.
He scores!!
Team A 3:3 Team B
4:32 on the clock
After Team B shoots and misses Team A gains a rebound.
Justin crosses the half-court line with the ball. Caballero sets a screen for him and he uses it. Caballero rolls and receives a pass from Justin. He tries to lay the ball in the basket but the long arm of Rebias prevails, swatting the ball into the hands of Cesar.
Cesar sprints with the ball to the opposite side of the court. With Justin ahead of him, defending, he jumps high and Justin accepts his fate.
‘Being posterized by the person I look up to is the greatest pleasure of all.’
But his expectations disappoint him when Cesar gets past him with a layup that counts as a bucket.
“Why won’t you posterize me, master?” Justin says. “You could’ve done the deed with prejudice.”
Cesar looks at him amused, “I don’t want to humiliate you, my student. Besides we’re just practicing, not a real game. And practice should be about learning and fun, not about who’s the best. I intend to do it that way, and I wish you could do the same.”
Justin salutes at him, “Yes, master. I will do it that way.”
“Good. Now let’s continue.”
Coach Perez seeing their interaction gives a slight smile.
‘This is a strong team, strong enough to defeat the best in the tournament. I hope they will stay for each other in the end.’
After their scrimmage, they all go their separate ways. But Mark, Justin, Cesar, and Kevin stick around each other as they walk to their home.
“So, Kevin. Are you really thirteen years old?” Justin says.
Kevin chuckles, “Uhm, yeah. I just got thirteen three months ago.”
“Wow, you’re thirteen years old and you’re already six-foot-nine. I’m jealous of you, my guy.” Mark says as he laughs afterwards, and they all laugh with him.
“I guess I’m just lucky to be at this height. It’s just rare to be a thirteen-year-old who is six-foot-nine.”
“You know what, kid?” Cesar says.
“What?”
“It’s not luck that you have that height, but it’s a blessing from God.”
“My dad always says that to me, ‘It’s not by me or your mother that you have that height, but by God. We didn’t make the tree grow but God did.’”
“Are you Christian, Kevin?” Mark says.
“I am because my parents are Christians.”
“But in your heart, do you believe in Jesus and what the Bible says?”
Kevin sighs, “I don’t know. I believe in Jesus but there are some verses that I don’t understand. To be quite frank with you, I don’t think my parents’ faith suits me well. I just don’t understand why they believe in a dead person thousands of years ago.”
The company goes quiet for a while until Mark says something remarkable.
“You know, Kevin. I was thinking what you are thinking right now. Why do I have to be a Christian? I mean, what does the Bible even saying?” Mark stops in his tracks and looks up. “But as the Bible says, ‘The Scripture is inspired by God, profitable for teaching and training in righteousness so that servants of God are complete and equipped for doing every good work.’”
They listen when they stop in their tracks.
Kevin looks at the ground and then at him, “What does that mean?”
Mark looks at him, “It means that the Bible is our instruction book or manual on how we should live our Christian lives so that the world would be a better place for the glory of God.”
Silence again falls upon them as Kevin smiles at him.
“I guess it makes a little bit of sense. Thank you… What’s your name again?”
“My name is Mark Mercado, but you could call me Mark for short.”
“Thank you, Mark. I won’t forget what you’ve said to me.”
“Walay Sapayan. It’s not my words that I’ve spoken but the words of God through me that you’ve been encouraged in the faith.”
Kevin chuckles, “Wow. You have incredible insight, Mark. I hope I could have a fraction of your intellect so that I could follow God more.”
Mark also chuckles as he waves his hands by his waist, “No, no, no. It’s not my intellect that keeps me motivated to follow God.” Mark pauses as they wait for his response. “But it is by the Spirit of the Living God that I could respond to you the Scripture and the truths that He has given me. All in all, all glory belongs to God.”
Kevin is wide-eyed and quite flabbergasted by the looks of it, “Wow, Mark. I want what you want.”
Mark smiles, “You can have what I want but I’m not the one who can give it to you. God is the only one who could give you the Spirit and wisdom that can guide and teach you what you should do and where you should go. I can pray for you though if you want.”
“I sure want your prayers.”
Mark smiles brilliantly as he looks at Cesar and Justin, “Let’s pray for our brother, here.”
“Let’s do it, bro. Let’s do God’s work,” says Justin.
“I’m happy to participate in the Lord’s move, Mark,” Cesar says.
Mark looks at Kevin as he lays his hand on his shoulder, “Let’s bow our heads in prayer.”
Cesar and Justin stretch out their hands towards Kevin as they bow their heads, and then Mark begins to pray.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your presence today. And thank you for the life of Kevin. You’ve blessed him much, Lord, and we thank you for that. Thank you, Lord, for encouraging his faith towards you and giving him wisdom and insight into your Word. Give him more wisdom and insight in your Word, Lord, in what he should do in his life. Lord, guide him and protect him all the days of his life. Give him courage and strength, Lord. Pour out your love upon him and grow his faith, Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”
They open their eyes seeing Kevin with a smile.
“Thank you for praying for me,” Kevin says. “I will not forget what you all have done for me.”
“All glory to God,” Mark says.
They continue walking when Mark reaches his home.
“Bye, guys,” Mark says to them with a wave.
“Bye, Mark,” they reply.
“Until next time, Mark,” Cesar says.
“See you at church tomorrow, Mark,” Justin says.
“See you then, Justin,” Mark replies.
“Be safe, Mark,” Kevin says to him.
“Thank you, Kevin. Oh, see you at church, Cesar.”
“See you at church too, Mark.”
Mark goes into his house and closes the door. He leans against his door looking up at the ceiling.
‘I miss you, ma, when you were still welcoming me home.’ He sheds a tear, letting it flow down his face. ‘You always have the brightest smile, but I know your smile would be brighter now that you’re with Jesus.’ A smile brightens his face as he wipes his tears from his face.
Mark pushes himself from the door and goes to his room. As he goes to his room at the feet of the stairs, he sees from a distance his father in the kitchen chugging beer from his bottle. He sighs and his heart is crushed. He sheds tears for him as he lays his head on his hand on the rail. He wipes his tears and continues to go to his room with a restrained sob.