With the rays of the sun beaming into the room, Mark stares at the ceiling blankly. He fiddles his fingers and turns to his side.
‘Charlemagne Pitbulls. A fitting name for a team that always attacks the paint. We, the Maaravi Warriors try our best to win. But… could we win in our first home game? We have Cesar, I’m sure we’ll win.’
At the Barba Sports Complex, people are pouring in in bunches. Outside are also lots of vendors of many products. And on the other side of the road, there is an eatery.
‘Hmm, delicious-looking meats. Too bad I can’t eat pork.’
“Judy! The game is about to start! Your crush is gonna be there!”
“Right there widdya!”
With the Basketball tournament starting, the teams get to warm up. Their coach passes the ball to the player and they get creative with how they would score. When it’s Mark’s turn to score, he dribbles to his right only to halt and dribble behind the back and shoots.
Swoosh. Airball.
‘Oh, gosh darn it.’
Justin approaches him and says, “It’s ok Mark. You only got the nerves, you’ve improved your shooting. I saw you in practices shooting threes. Don’t worry, be patient with yourself.”
“Thank you, Justin.”
Coach Perez of the Maaravi Warriors calls the team into a huddle before the game starts.
“Let us kneel for prayer. And as usual, you lead the prayer, Cesar. You are the team leader here.”
“Yes, coach,” Cesar replies.
The players including Coach Perez kneel while forming a circle. And Cesar starts to lead them into prayer.
“Lord Jesus. Give us the strength to win our game today. Give us favor to score our shots. Bless us in all our ways, Lord, and give us courage in the midst of chaos. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”
And they all said, “Amen.”
The game starts and everyone gets to their seats except for the starting five who position themselves to the center of the court. Coach Perez also is standing at the bench of the Maaravi Warriors. Their starting five is number 2, Michael Gomez at point guard; number 23, Benjamin Taruc at shooting guard; number 24, Cesar Owens at small forward; number 15, Edward Fajardo at power forward; and number 34, Marcus Canillo at center.
The referee prepares to toss the ball to commence the game and the centers are ready to tip the ball to their teammates. The crowd holds their breath as it starts. The referee tosses the ball into the air and it is tipped by Canillo.
It lands to Cesar who immediately tries to attack the rim and lays the ball up. But suddenly, someone chases after Cesar as the ball is in the air and he blocks it. Cesar turns to see who blocked his shot, and he sees the six-foot-ten center staring at him. He is Thomas Managaytay, number 15, the shot blocker of the Charlemagne campus.
Edward Fajardo gets the rebound and tries to put it back. Managaytay jumps with his hand high towards the ball but Fajardo gets the ball in. The crowd erupts.
Maaravi Warriors 2:0 Charlemagne Pitbulls
9:48
1st Quarter
Managaytay inbounds it to their point guard, number 4, Steven Mendoza.
Coach Perez of the Warriors employs a man-to-man defense against their opponent Charlamagne.
Mendoza calls Managaytay for a screen. He uses the screen and penetrates the paint, Cesar helps the defense towards the rim. But Mendoza kicks it out outside towards the wing where Cesar was guarding. The player catches the ball while Cesar sprints towards him and jumps as the player shoots a three. At the release of the ball, Cesar denies it and the ball is made out of bounds.
“Same player as last year, Cesar Owens. Aggressive and Defensive”
“You’re not that quite the same as last year, Villanueva. You’re shooting threes now.”
“There’s always room for improvement.”
Mendoza holds the ball for the inbound. Managaytay screens for their shooting guard with their defenders switch places. Then Managaytay sprints towards the rim and receives a pass from Mendoza, and then he lays it up and in with little opposition against a small defender.
Maaravi Warriors 2:2 Charlemagne Pitbulls
9:28
1st Quarter
Mark says to Justin who is beside him, “Wow, I can’t believe I can play with these kinds of caliber players. I can’t wait to get in.”
“Me too. I’m excited to show my moves to them.”
Maaravi Warriors 10:9 Charlemagne Pitbulls
7:32
1st Quarter
Coach Perez subs in number 30, Mark Mercado as shooting guard, and, number 1, Justin Banderas as point guard. He says to them, “Remember the plays I taught you two, use them. Cesar will help you execute them.”
“Yes, Coach,” they reply.
They get on the floor and Cesar meets them.
“Don’t worry, guys. I will help you. Justin, I taught you how to deal with a defender, apply it. Mark, use your off-ball skills to make a clean shot.”
“Got it, master,” they replied.
Managaytay inbounds the ball to Mendoza. On their side of the court, Their shooting guard and, the number 11, Villanueva cross the court with the big men going forward by the side of the paint. Villanueva cuts backdoor with Cesar trailing behind him. He receives the ball and lays it up. But Cesar, who chases after him, denies it with the ball going to Fajardo’s hands.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Fajardo passes it to Justin and the Warriors fastbreaks across the court with Justin leading the chase. Justin sprints as if someone chases him with a knife and he lays it up. But someone jumps behind him to block the ball but he misses it, and the ball goes in. Justin looks to see who it was behind him the whole time, it is Managaytay. And the big man stares at his soul.
“I’ll block every shot of yours, Banderas.”
Justin is scared silly and jogs away from him while Mark celebrates with him. Mark lifts his fist and Justin bumps it.
“Nice one, Justin.”
“Hehe, thanks.”
Maaravi Warriors 12:9 Charlemagne Pitbulls
7:05
1st Quarter
Charlemagne timeouts.
The Warriors players on the court sit on their bench with Coach Perez coaching them.
“Guys, don’t switch when Managaytay gives a screen outside. They don’t have a threat of shooting threes, so just chase after your guys. Switch in every pick they set except for Managaytay. You got it?”
“Yes, coach,” they reply.
The game resumes again. Villanueva inbounds the ball to Mendoza and they jog across the court. With Justin guarding Mendoza, he then locks him up. Mendoza attacks the basket and pulls up a midrange jumper.
Swish. In goes the ball.
Maaravi Warriors 12:11 Charlemagne Pitbulls
6:54
1st Quarter
Mark cheers Justin up with, “That’s ok, Justin. You’ll get him next time.”
Justin gives him a nod and a smile.
Canillo, their center, inbounds to Justin the ball. The both of them jog across the court. Their opponent has been employing 2-3 zone defense and Justin has a surprise for them. Justin signals a play and they know it.
Justin dribbles towards the wing with Mark running ahead towards the corner. Justin then passes the ball to Mark as he gets an open look with Cesar screening the defender.
“Shoot, Mark!” says Justin.
Mark jumps and shoots the ball for three. His form, flawless. The arc of the ball, like the hills of Bohol.
Splash Bucket, nothing but net.
The crowd erupts.
“WOOOOOH!!”
“MERCADO!! I LOVE YOU!!!”
Mark pounds his chest with his fist two times and points at the sky as he jogs across the court.
“Nice one, Mark!” says Justin with a big grin across his face.
Maaravi Warriors 15:11 Charlemagne Pitbulls
6:37
1st Quarter
With the ball inbounded, Mendoza carries the ball with Justin guarding him. Mendoza suddenly attacks the basket and gets past Justin. Canillo helps the defense when Mendoza suddenly shoots. Canillo tries to block it as he jumps high like a tower.
‘This isn’t a shot,’ Canillo thought as he missed the ball only for Managaytay to catch and slam it through the rim.
Mark stares at him hanging from the rim and thinks, ‘Woah. So big like a gorilla but jumps like a grasshopper.’
Maaravi Warriors 15:13 Charlemagne Pitbulls
6:25
1st Quarter
Coach Perez calls a timeout. They gather around their coach and listen to him.
“Banderas, guard your man. Don’t let him beat you to the punch.”
“Yes, Coach,” says Justin.
“I’m subbing you for Gomez, rest for now. I need you later.”
“Yes, Coach,” Justin replies.
“Canillo, guard your man at all times. While you others support the defense. Gomez, make more plays for Owens and dish out to Mercado if he’s open. Got it?”
“Roger that, Coach,” Canillo and Gomez reply.
The game resumes. Mark inbounds the ball to Gomez and they jog across the court. Gomez passes the ball to Mark.
‘Screens under the rim and where is Cesar?’
He sees Cesar and passes it to him. Cesar jumps high to the sky and slams it home. The crowd erupts once again.
“CESAR! CESAR! CESAR! CESAR!”
Maaravi Warriors 17:13 Charlamagne Pitbulls
6:11
1st Quarter
Mark smiles while running across the court.
‘So this is what it feels like in the court.’
Maaravi Warriors 25:20 Charlemagne Pitbulls
4:20
1st Quarter
Coach Perez subs in Justin and subs out Mark.
Justin says to Mark, “Nice shooting out there, my guy. Your threes are helping the game.”
“Thanks, Justin. You knock them out of the floor. Got it?”
“Haha, Yes, Coach.”
Maaravi Warriors 29:26 Charlemagne Pitbulls
1:02
1st Quarter
Mendoza has the ball with Justin guarding him. Their shooting guard and Villanueva cross each other across the court and the big men go to the high post. Mendoza dribbles the ball one way and suddenly crossovers Justin to the other then passes it to Managaytay. Mendoza and Justin go shoulder to shoulder as the former cuts to the free throw line and then suddenly stops. He goes around Managaytay as the former handoffs the ball to the latter and attacks the rim. He lays it up and Cesar again denies the ball. But suddenly someone jumps high to the sky and putbacks the ball with a slam.
Cesar looks up to see Managaytay hanging from the rim.
‘This is gonna be tough.’
Maaravi Warriors 29:28 Charlamagne Pitbulls
0:46
1st Quarter
Fajardo inbounds the ball to Justin. As Justin dribbles he notices something.
‘Two here, two in the middle, and one on the other side. 2-2-1 zone press. I’m just gonna try this.’
But before he can do it, Cesar comes to his aid.
“Pass it to me, Justin.”
“Yes, master,” Justin replies as he passes it to Cesar.
Cesar dribbles the ball towards the side.
‘Double team here.”
As he gets double-teamed, he spins and sprints towards the middle. He leaves them behind and crosses the half-court. He attacks the basket and he sees Managaytay at the post waiting for him, but he attacks anyway. Attacking the rim he jumps as if he would dunk, and Managaytay jumps with him. In the air with his right arm extended, he sees the arm of Managaytay over him. He smiles and passes it, behind his head, to Fajardo. Fajardo dunks it home.
The crowd is in a state of uproar. Woohs and Yeahs are sounding the Barba Sports Complex.
“FAJARDO TORNADO! FAJARDO TORNADO! FAJARDO TORNADO!”
Maaravi Warriors 31:28 Charlemagne Pitbulls
0:33
1st Quarter
Mendoza receives the ball as Managaytay inbounds it. He dribbles it with a fast pace until he crosses the half-court. He dribbles toward the right side and passes it to their power forward who then passes it to Villanueva. The power forward gives a screen to Villanueva as the latter dribbles the ball into the key and then passes the ball to Managaytay. Managaytay bodies Canillo and is double-teamed by Fajardo. Managaytay fades away over the arms of Fajardo and Canillo. The ball lands on the rim as it bounces a few times but inevitably sinks in.
Managaytay stares at the two and says, “Do better.”
Maaravi Warriors 31:30 Charlemagne Pitbulls
0:17
1st Quarter
Charlemagne University employs 2-2-1 zone defense again, and Cesar takes the initiative to handle the ball. Similar to earlier, he goes to the side and they double-team him. He quickly spins but the shooting guard is in front of him this time. He dribbles behind the back and proceeds to aggressively sprint toward the basket. Seeing no one defending at the rim, he jumps and attempts to dunk.
But his bane chases behind him and jumps higher than before. Attempting to block the shot, he instead hits his wrist, but Cesar proceeds to slam it home. But at what cost? Cesar falls hard on the ground.
The crowd was silent and Ooohs at the calamity.
Fajardo holds out a hand, Cesar concedes to take it and gets up. But Cesar is limping and then the crowd showers him with applause.
The coach approaches him and says, “Are you ok, Owens?”
“I’m fine, coach. Nothing damaged but my hip which landed on the floor.”
“I want you to rest after you shoot your free throw. I will not let you play for the next quarter if possible. Recover for now.”
“Understood, coach.”
Maaravi Warriors 33:30 Charlemagne Pitbulls
0:07
1st Quarter
Cesar shoots his free throw and sinks it. After his free throw, Coach Perez subs Mark in for Cesar.
Cesar says to Mark as they cross each other, “Wish you all the best, Mark. Go get ‘em.”
Mark nods and jogs towards the defense.
Their power forward inbounds the ball to Mendoza. With little to no opposition, he sprints towards the basket. Weaving through defenders he lays up a shot, but Mark jumps high up into the sky. Arms stretching high, he blocks the ball. And then the buzzer sounds
Maaravi Warriors 34:30 Charlemagne Pitbulls
0:00
End of 1st Quarter