Basketball Thursday
Since the "ladies" (our wives) have been busy attending their tennis lessons for the past week, us boyz decided to do some activities of our own aside from playing the Xbox and table tennis. So last Thursday, after the ladies' lessons at 10 PM, the boyz met again at 11 PM after bringing our wives and kids home. The five of us (Sandro, Nonoy, Mike, Juhn and me) went looking for a basketball court near the Industrial Area. It was supposed to be in front of the Opera Cafe housing. Jhun rode with me while the other 2 rode with Sandro. After going round and round and almost getting lost (thanks to Juhn!), we made it to the court at almost 12 midnight. It was Street Basketball! It was an open court with just enough lights for the players to see the goal and the ball. A game was underway and there were like 30 more people on the court side waiting to play. We expected to play right after the game finished but there were some guys ahead of us so we had to wait our turn. There was no signing up but an understanding among players. Nonoy was already raring to play as we waited. Other groups came in which made us worry that we might not be able to play since those guys were obviously usual visitors on the area. Seeing the other guys play, we were sure we'd have to push ourselves to the limit especially that some of us haven't really played basketball in years. I personally can't remember when I last played, maybe 4-5 years ago. And not at a competitive level.
It was almost 1 AM when we got to play. The guys we were against were lean and looked like they could tear us apart in pieces. Nonoy and I played point and brought the ball down. Anyway, here's a rundown of what "I think" happened next:
- The opponent got a good start and were leading 3-1.
- Obviously, we were not as fit as the other team and were outrunning us on the breaks.
- Mike was getting irritated with the guys charging at him ans I thought that we'd get into trouble. On one possession by the other team, Mike consecutively fouled 3 ball handlers.
- On the defensive end, a big guy in black (probably half the size wider than me) rammed into me as I was trying to block his shot. On the way down, I felt that my arm was going to fall off and lost sensation.
- After playing for 10- 15 minutes, I was already out of breath and ready to pass out anytime.
- I saw Nonoy standing on the sidelines with another guy replacing him after 15 minutes of play.
- I asked to be replaced after 4 more possessions.
Well, I didn't score a point, had two assists, got fouled twice on a drive. Sandro, Mike and Juhn stayed for the game with 2 other players serving as their imports. Those 2 guys can run! We don't exactly know what happened but we thought that we were supposed to have won the game but apparently the other team scored the game point. Anyway, we got home at 1:30 AM, all tired and sweaty. I'm not too sure if I'm going to let myself play again without really preparing for it. I think I still feel my muscles ache after 3 days.
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