Saturday morning arrived crisp and vibrant, the 6 AM light painting the sky in hues of soft orange and violet. The city of Dasmariñas still hummed quietly beneath dawn's early glow, but within the chartered bus bearing the Dasmariñas National High School logo, the energy was anything but quiet. It crackled in the air, a tangible mix of excitement and tightly coiled nerves. Today's destination: Antipolo, Rizal. Today's mission: to conquer a titan on its home turf.
The bus rumbled to life, its engine a low growl that seemed to echo the feeling in the players' chests. They settled into their seats, green and white jerseys crisp, warm-up jackets zipped high. The lingering warmth of their city championship victory was a comforting blanket, but it did little to ward off the chill of the impending challenge. Antipolo High was a powerhouse, a relentless machine known for its suffocating defense and punishing offense, and today, they had the full force of their city behind them.
Coach Gutierrez stood at the front, a clipboard clutched in one hand, his sharp eyes scanning the faces of his players. The usual pre-game chatter—jokes about last night's video games or plans for after the match—was replaced by a contemplative silence. Daewoo Kim was methodically stretching his legs in the aisle. Aiden Robinson had his headphones on, eyes closed, his expression a mask of concentration.
"Alright, listen up," Coach Gutierrez's voice cut through the quiet hum of the engine. "I know what you're thinking. Antipolo. The Dela Cruz twins. A stadium full of fans who want to see us lose. Let them think it. Let them underestimate the heart of a champion."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"Remember our fundamentals. Crisp passes, smart shots, and suffocating defense. We don't play their game; we make them play ours. We control the tempo from the first second to the last. Heart, discipline, and unity. That's what wins games. We're not just going there to play—we're going there to leave our mark."
Marco, ever the confident sharpshooter, leaned across the aisle and bumped fists with Tristan. He flashed a grin that was all swagger.
"You hear that, Captain? No green, but all fire," Marco said, his voice low but buzzing with energy. "I'm feeling good. My shot's gonna be wet today. They won't know what hit 'em."
Tristan offered a small, focused smile in return, his fingers already tapping on his phone. He wasn't nervous, but the weight of leadership was a familiar pressure on his shoulders. "Just make sure you're open when I find you," he replied, his tone calm and steady.
"Always," Marco shot back with a wink.
The two-hour journey felt both infinitely long and far too short. As the bus climbed the winding roads into Rizal, the urban sprawl of Cavite gave way to greener, more elevated landscapes. When they finally rolled into the massive complex of the Rizal Memorial Stadium, the quiet anticipation on the bus exploded into sharp, tangible reality.
The stands were a tidal wave of royal blue. Thousands of fans, a roaring, chanting sea of Antipolo supporters, were already filling the arena. Their voices were a dull, thunderous roar even from inside the bus. Banners proclaiming "ANTIPOLO PRIDE" and "BEWARE THE TOWERS" hung from the railings.
There was not a single speck of Dasmariñas green in sight.
As the players stepped off the bus, the sound hit them like a physical blow. A chorus of boos and jeers erupted from the fans who had spotted their arrival. The home advantage wasn't just a factor; it was a weapon.
"Keep your heads up! Eyes forward!" Coach Gutierrez barked, guiding his team toward the players' entrance. "Let them waste their energy. We save ours for the court."
They entered the cool, concrete tunnel, and the roar of the crowd was momentarily muffled, replaced by the echo of their own footsteps. The coach gathered them in a tight huddle just before the locker room door.
"This isn't just a game," he said, his voice low and intense, forcing them to lean in. "This is a statement. We are the champions of our city, and we didn't come here to roll over. They have the numbers in the stands, but we have the heart in this circle. The only crowd that matters right now is us. The only brothers you fight for are standing right beside you. Got it?"
"Yes, Coach!" they roared in unison, their voices bouncing off the tunnel walls. They linked hands for a brief moment, a small island of green and white unity against a hostile world.
Inside the dim, spartan locker room, shadows danced across focused faces. The air was thick with the scent of athletic tape and liniment. The players went through their routines—stretching, taping ankles, sipping water. The tension was palpable.
Coach Gutierrez stood in the center of the room and began to pace, his voice rising with unwavering intensity.
"This is what warriors are made of! The city champion versus the home giant. Listen to them out there," he said, gesturing toward the door. "They think they've already won. They think we're just another team to be crushed by their 'twin towers.' The ground will shake with their cheers, but we will stand firm. We will be unyielding!"
His gaze locked onto Tristan.
"Tristan. You're the floor general. You lead the charge. They live and die by the Dela Cruz twins. Robert and Allan—they're big, they're strong, but they're not unbeatable. Robert likes to face up and drive from the high post. Allan is a monster on the offensive glass. Cedrick, Daewoo—you box out like your lives depend on it. Don't give them an inch."
Cedrick Estrella, the team's stoic forward, gave a firm nod. "They won't get any second chances, Coach."
"Good," the coach continued, his eyes sweeping over the team. "Marco, Aiden, they know you're shooters. Their wing defenders will be aggressive. Use that. A good pump fake, one hard dribble, and pull up for the mid-range. We fight smarter, and we fight harder."
He clapped his hands together, the sound cracking like a whip. "This first quarter and the next—make every single possession count. No lazy passes, no dumb fouls. Play with fire in your hearts and ice in your veins. Fight for every second like it's your last!"
After the rousing speech, as the team prepared for their final warm-ups, Tristan slipped away to a quiet corner and pulled out his phone. He sent a quick text to Claire, knowing she'd be glued to the livestream at home.
Tristan: In the lion's den. It's loud. Wish you were here.
Her reply was instantaneous, a small beacon of light in the tense atmosphere.
Claire: I am there! In spirit! Cheering louder than all of them combined. I can feel it, Tristan. This is your game. You've got this! Show them what Dasma is made of!.
A small smile touched Tristan's lips. He typed back a quick reply.
Tristan: Roger that. For Dasma.
He slipped the phone back into his bag, his focus sharpening. The distant roar of the crowd was calling.
Moments later, the arena lights dimmed and a spotlight hit center court. The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, electric and dripping with hometown pride.
Announcer: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Welcome to the Rizal Memorial Stadium for a titanic regional showdown! First, let's hear it for your visiting challengers, the champions of Dasmariñas City... the DASMARIÑAS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL!"
A smattering of polite, almost inaudible applause was immediately drowned out by a wave of booing. The Dasmariñas starters ran onto the court, their faces set like stone, ignoring the hostile reception.
Announcer: "Starting at Point Guard, #20, TRISTAN HERRERA! At Shooting Guard, #23, MARCO GUMABA! At Small Forward, #7, AIDEN ROBINSON! At Power Forward, #21, CEDRICK ESTRELLA! And at Center, #34, IAN VENERACION!"
The announcer's voice then shifted, booming with unrestrained passion.
Announcer: "AND NOW! GET ON YOUR FEET FOR YOUR HOMETOWN HEROES! YOUR VERY OWN... ANTIPOLO HIGH BLUE DRAGONS!"
The stadium erupted. The noise was a physical force, pressing in from all sides as the home team burst from their tunnel into a shower of spotlights and adoration.
Announcer: "At Point Guard, #5, ED 'THE FLASH' RAMOS! At Shooting Guard, from downtown, #11, CJ MORALES! At Small Forward, #14, the high-flying SAM LOPEZ! And now... get ready for the best frontcourt in the region! At Power Forward, #22, ROBERT DELA CRUZ! AND AT CENTER, #33, 'THE MOUNTAIN' ALLAN DELA CRUZ! YOUR ANTIPOLO HIGH!"
The crowd's roar for the Dela Cruz twins was deafening. The two brothers, both standing at a towering 6'5", looked imposing and formidable as they high-fived their teammates.
Tristan took a deep breath, the scent of polished wood and popcorn filling his lungs. He felt the weight and fire of the moment settle over him. The arena's electric energy was a storm, but within the circle of his teammates, a steady, defiant calm gathered. He met Cedrick's eyes at center court as they prepared for the tip-off.
Here we go, Tristan thought, blocking out the noise, his world shrinking to the ten players on the court and the leather ball in the referee's hands. Legends aren't made with ease. They're forged in fire and grit.
The whistle shrieked, slicing through the air. The referee tossed the ball high. Ian and Allan leaped, two titans colliding in mid-air. The battle had begun.