The Vision Is Kept Alive

by Wawet Faustino

Everybody else wanted to count us out. We weren't going down easily. The first two games of K88 Rigmarolers were heartbreakers. Casualties and foul outs plagued the team. The third game wasn't going to be the same.

The start of the game felt like lady luck wasn't on our side. At the 2nd quarter, we were down by twenty (20) points, 39-19!!! Anybody would have blamed the lack of attendance from some of the key players: Chunky and his barreling offense, Mon with his ever reliable game, Jun Cumpas who would be the other key point guard, playing coach Rod whose leadership kept the team composed, Jay with his reliable treys, Rey and his moral boosting antiques and assistant to the coach, and others. But the team had enough players.

The beginning showed how unlucky the team was, forcing Caloy to ask to be taken after committing several turn-overs. The others also seemed to be in a bind, letting the smaller, yet faster opponents get to the basket play after play. The ball didn't seem to like to fall into K88's ring.

The third quarter was a sign that the game wasn't meant to be won. The referees even seemed opposed to K88 calling foul after foul against the team taking them into penalty at half point of the quarter. It was 7 fouls called against K88 versus just 1, yes just 1, for batch 96 (that's right, they're the youngest team who entered the semis.

The fourth quarter started with the team down by around 15 points (I can't really recall by how much but it was something that would make someone expect the team to get their third straight loss and lose the grip on getting back the title).

With Andaluz directing the team, the team slowly clawed back into the game with suffocating defense forcing turn-overs after turn-overs from the other team. We got the lead down to only 8 points at half-point of the quarter. Caloy's start of the game would have made anyone throw in the towel and let somebody else play for the team but this Caloy had the heart. He started blocking shots, and when he felt it wasn't enough, he started stealing the ball right from the hands of the younger, quicker opponents.

The other four players all made their huge contributions. With Bimbo always leading the traps on the ball handlers, Buffalo and Audie easily caught balls and would always trigger fast breaks. If the play is set, Iric would always take the ball hard inside fishing fouls from almost everyone who stood in his way. We had the upperhand. Soon enough, the other team was in penalty. There was one clear mission, drive the ball hard and get fouls. It worked wonders. The players kept their cool and hit one free throw after another. a few minutes left in the game and we caught them. Yes, we were 20 points down and we caught them. It was a game for the books. In the final two minutes we were up by 4 points. It slowly went up to 6 from free throws. The final few seconds saw a futile comeback from the other team. They got two quick three points but time has ran out.

The game ended in what seemed like a game of professionals. The score stood at 102-100. Yes, both teams reached triple digits, no overtime, just 4 regulation quarters of 10 minutes each.

For Team K88 Rigmarolers, it's time to get back the crown!!!