"Alright, it's time to play!" Chiko excitedly shouted right after the brief meeting with Coach U-bear.
Gantes on the other hand had been looking troubled. He slowly approached the coach while everyone else is moving towards the practice area.
"I must be honest coach, I don't really know a lot of moves about this sports except for using my head. Doing those in-kicks and stylish jump kicks are too hard for me at the moment." Gantes admitted.
"I know Mark Gantes. But do not worry. Whether you can do it or not, it all depends on your perseverance and determination. If you are worried about being unable to perform those kicks, why not start by losing down some weights?"
"Yeah. I know that." Gantes replied still looking troubled.
Seeing that Gantes still had some worries, Mr. U-Bear decided to sit beside the latter.
"You look worried. Is there any problem when it comes to losing some weight? Perhaps some health problem?" Gantes asked with a gentle tone.
Ever since Gantes stepped into the world of speak takraw, he quickly realized how important having a lighter and leaner body is. With his current weight and size, he knew that his future performance is bound to be limited. He knew he must shed those weights as soon as possible. It is just that...
It took a few more seconds before Gantes finally replied, "Coach by any, chance do you know something about my track records? You see, it is actually because of my past that I have decided to get in my current shape."
"So that's what you are worried about..." U-bear leaned back on his wooden chair and crossed his arms. He first glanced and made sure that everyone else has moved away before speaking again.
"Actually I did know about you. In fact, one of the reasons why I accepted you is because I knew Mr. Ricardo - the policeman who adopted you."
Gantes was shocked upon hearing his coach's words.
"You know Ricardo?"
Coach U-bear smiled before nodding in reply, "Aside from being my sepak takraw teammate during my high school and college years. he was also like a brother to me"
The moment Gantes realized that Coach U-bear was his old man's best pal, his heart became lighter and he could not help but shake his head.
"How come he never talked a lot about you guys..."
As if expecting those words, Coach U-bear patiently explained, "It was a long story. But later on, he became a policeman who was famous in Cebu for chasing away druggies and snatchers. He also mentioned to me one time that he is planning to rescue a young and wild street brawling druggie with incredible potential. I am pretty sure he was talking about you."
"So that's why you looked somewhat familiar to me. I have seen some past albums at Ricardo's house and I am pretty sure I have seen your face in one of those." Gantes said weakly as the feeling of missing back his old man who treated him with the greatest respect brought some itch in his heart
"Before he died a couple of months before, he did tell me that if anything happens to him, I should take care of you. Unfortunately, I already have my hands full with my family- packed with three children. The best I can do for him is guide you and offer this scholarship program."
Then Coach U-bear stood up and turned his gaze at Chiko and Yang who are starting to do their body stretching with the help of their seniors.
"Mind you, with your current weight and size, it would have been incredibly difficult for you to get accepted on this program. It was only possible because I have a thick face. I even got a couple of questioning sessions with the school Dean for accepting you and the others."
There was a surprised look on Gantes' face as he quickly bowed down in appreciation,
"Thank you for your help coach."
With a serious look, coach U-bear gently tapped Gantes' shoulder,
"I know that you have grown this big because you wanted to cover the past of Mark Gantes who was famously known as Pulang Askal. You have past enemies and illegal transactions that had been hunting you down. But you already paid for them with years of juvenile detention and a series of recovery programs. I trust that you will change for the better will overpower your past."
"I am just afraid coach." Mark worriedly explained, "What if they come after me. I might put my team and everyone else in trouble."
Seeing the troubled look of Mark, Mr. U-bear assured him,
"That is exactly the reason why I am here. Just trust me. I may not look like a tough guy but I know how to fight back and defend those people that matter to me.."
The gentle and assuring voice of his coach reminded Gantes the first time Mr. Ricardo offered him to be adopted. He had no choice but to trust his words.
"With your past literally weighing you down, how do you think will you be able to rise up and fly high?" U-bear word's nailed the spot and it finally dawned on Gantes.
It was true, despite his strong presence, there was a constant fear in his mind when it comes to his enemies in the past. But Mr. U-bear's words also reminded him not to continue living in the past. Ether they find him or not, it is up to fate what will happen.
"Sigh... Alright.." Gantes sighed as if mountains of burden has been lifted up from his shoulders. He decided to give it a try. The best he could do is get fit again, train, and be strong not just as a sepak takraw player but also to protect his team.
Gantes shifted his gaze to Chiko and Yang who are currently doing partnered-stretching, he remembered the day when Chiko casually invited him and Yang to become a part of his sepak takraw team. It was even after they accidentally pulped him down with their kick and punch.
Mark Gantes clinched his fluffy fist while his eyes burned with determination.
"I don't want to be recognized anymore as Mark the Pulang Askal." then his gaze turned to Mr. U-bear before adding, "rather, I want to be known as Mark the Striker of team Madtaks! One of the best sepak takraw players in the world!"
"I may be just your coach, but know this that I will treat you boys as if my sons."
It was words that put a huge smile on the face of Gantes.
"-So you can expect a good Asian beating from time to time." the coach's next words gave Gantes a cold shudder.
In the next five minutes, a painful wail from Gantes echoed loudly,
"Agggggh! Mamaaa! It hurts!"
"Go Gantes! You can do it! It only hurts from the start!" Chiko cheered on the side. Gantes was just stretching his body with the help of coach U-bear.
"Next is the hamstring overhead stretch. He dead."
Yang recalled the stretching pattern of sepak takraw players and he himself has seen them and tried just how hard those stretching are. With Gante's fluffy body, he expected that latter to receive even more intense training and exercises.
It was special training to prepare them for the months of gruesome training.
***
Half the day has passed and the training has finally ended. Chiko and Yang spent most of their time doing the basics of controlling their inside kicks. Mark on the other hand had to do some extra laps, side steps, and more flexibility stretching.
After about three hours of training, their first official class has started. All three of them decided to take on Computer studies since it was currently the most in-demand in the market according to Mr. U-bear. Not to mention, their class schedules do not conflict much with their training hours.
"I am hungry... You guys want to grab something to eat first before going in?" Gantes grumbled while walking together with Chiko and Yang towards their first class for the day.
"I am hungry too but I am afraid I already ate my breakfast. I might go past my daily budget if I grab a snack now so I pass." Chiko, as usual, declined when it comes to spending money.
"I know a couple of fruit trees ready for picking not far from the back of the cafeteria." As someone who knows the school ground like it was the back of his palm, Yang quickly suggested.
"Is it free?" Chiko asked.
"As long as we don't get caught I guess? Never mind, the school guard sometimes goes there and enjoys them all for himself." Yang replied with subtle drooling.
"I want meat," Gantes commented.
"Yuck."
Just when the three of them were about to turn on a corner, they meet Mr. U-bear again in his instructor uniform. The latter casually greeted them before reminding,
"I expect you three not to be late today in any of your classes. As scholar students, you should remain punctual and be role models. Else, just another 30 laps around the oval tomorrow."
"Noted Coach!" Gantes and Chiko quickly replied. Meanwhile, Yang instinctively checked his modest wristwatch when his eyes instantly widened at the realization.
"Guys! Not good! We only have a minute left before one o'clock! We are going to be late!"
"WHAT!?" both Chiko and Gantes replied before turning quickly and bowed down to their coach and ran as fast as they can towards their classroom.
There was a gentle but scary smile on their coach's face. Perhaps they might have to do another 30 laps of punishment tomorrow.
And that was the first day of training and college life for Chiko, Gantes, and Yang.