3rd Person’s POV

It’s officially start of the season. They’re actually doing well more than they thought they would. Lalo na’t first game na first game palang ay isa na sa mga nakasali sa last year playoffs ang kalaban nila.

Maganda defense; Maganda offense.

But the only thing na kulang sila is a solid tactic—solid plays. Right now they’re using their old plays. Plays na gamit na gamit na ng team and for sure ay naaral na ng opposing team.

And that’s exactly why nahihirapan sila ngayon.

Because even though magaling magdesisyon si Seulgi sa mismong laro at matalas ang game instinct ni Giselle. They still can’t seem to surprise the enemy team. They still can’t take one step ahead of them.

They badly need a coach and it’s showing first game palang.

What makes things worse is that the opposing team knows about it and is aware of what they lack, which is why they’re taking advantage of it.

“Ano na gagawin natin?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Ryujin. Biting her nails as a sign of uneasiness.

Seulgi looked at the scoreboard. Tapping her feet against the concrete floor. Kinakabahan narin.

SMU-9; PPG-11

2 points difference. Not bad. But not good.

Hindi nila ma-close ang gap. It’s been going on for the past 7 innings and every passing round is a missed opportunity for them to get ahead.

They called in for an emergency timeout which the umpire, thankfully, granted.

Giselle groans, “Anyone is welcome to pitch in their ideas.”

“Hindi dapat sila makapuntos next inning. If magpapatuloy pa ‘yon then kailangan natin atleast a home run with bases loaded.” Seryosong sabi ni Seulgi.

They know that. Everyone knows that. The questions is how?

Paano nila gagawin ‘yon kung alam na ng opposing team every play they have in the book.

Yuqi glanced at Winter na nakalean lang sa wall. Tahimik na nakiki—

No, she’s looking sa labas. Sa  bandang field. Hindi nanaman nakikinig. Just waiting for instructions.

Magkatabi sila so Yuqi tugged her jersey to call her attention. Gumana naman dahil Winter looked at her with the same bored expression.

Ano? Winter mouthed.

Yuqi points her head toward sa gitna kung saan nakapwesto sila Seulgi.

Winter shrugged. Unsure kung ano ba gustong sabihin ni Yuqi.

Yuqi gave her a pointed look kung saan naintidihan naman na niya.

Yuqi wants her to help them come up with a plan.

Winter mentally groans. At umiling sa babae showing her disinterest.

Tumango-tango lang si Yuqi urging her to speak up.

“Ayaw ko nga.” Winter whispered.

“Sige na. Para naman sa team.” Bulong ni Yuqi.

“ayaw ko mag-isip, Yuqi.”

Winter hissed ng kurutin siya ni Yuqi.

Everyone turned towards them dahil sa ginawang ingay ni Winter.

“May gusto ba kayo i-share?” tanong ni Seulgi, raising her right eyebrow.

Tinulak siya ng mahina ni Yuqi papaharap, “si Winter po meron sasabihin.”

Seulgi’s lips quirked up in interest, “Really?”

Inirapan ni Winter si Yuqi bago humarap kila Seulgi.

“Ah” she scratch her ear, hindi alam kung ano ba sasabihin, “Basta hindi sila makapuntos, at makapuntos tayo. We’ll be fine?” patanong niyang sabi.

Nakakunot pa noo niya dahil hindi siya sure kung tama ba pinagsasabi niya.

“Congrats! Sinabi mo lang ‘din sinabi niya.” Umirap si Irene kay Winter.

Winter frowned, “You’re welcome” sarkastikong sabi niya dito.

Seulgi shook her head, Ito nanaman ‘tong dalawa ‘to.

“How do you suggest we do that?” tanong ni Seulgi kay Winter.

Winter shrugged. Kaya napa-irap uli si Irene.

Problema ba nito sa akin?! Winter complains in her head.

Winter sighs in defeat nang makitang pinanlisikan siya ng tingin ni Yuqi.

“Their pitcher’s right arm is hurting.” Sabi nito. “Yung number 48”

Kumunot-noo ni Giselle, “Paano mo napansin?”

“She keeps on touching it. At kung mapapansin niyo every time na natatapos siya magpitch, she winces.” Sabi nito.

“Hindi namin napansin pero sige continue…” sabi ni Giselle,

Seulgi noticed touching part pero yung wincing hindi.

Winter glanced at Giselle bago nagpatuloy, “and since right handed siya it’s gonna be easier for our hitter to know where to hit.”

Tumango-tango si Giselle at Seulgi understanding where Winter’s getting at.

Tumingin si Winter kay Irene nagpaparinig kaya umirap si Irene, “Malamang.”

Natawa naman si Winter, Lakas talaga bilib sa sarili.

“Hindi ko gets. Kahit naman right handed they can control their pitches kung saan nila gusto.” Komento ni Ryujin.

Tumango naman ang ibang player, agreeing with Ryujin.

“Ryujin, when you sprained your ankle last year and pinilit mo maglaro, were you able to run as fast as you can?”, tanong ni Giselle.

“Syempre hindi! Sakit kaya sa paa.”

“Exactly. Their pitcher won’t be able to control their pitches the longer they stay sa field.” Seulgi explained.

Realization was evident in Ryujin’s face. In all of the other member’s face.

--

It worked. The plan they came up with.

Their defense was immaculate sa last three innings. Hindi naka-score ang kalaban and it’s all thanks sa last play na ginawa ni Giselle. Napansin niyang hindi masyadong mabilis ang batter so pagkapasa sakanya ni Seulgi ng bola she took a chance na ipasa to sa third base kung saan