About a week has passed by ever since they officially became athlete scholars of the school. Chiko, Yang, Gantes had experienced tremendous weight loss especially Gantes who was ever determined to get back to his original peak shape.
In their first week, they have experienced how hellish the schedule of a scholar-athlete actually was and got into the team punishment about three times. Most of them were caused by Gantes who tend to oversleep a lot.
Today is another morning on their second week and the whole team Madtaks was on fire.
"Controlling the ball means controlling the game."
Mr. U-bear would always remind them every day as they start their morning practice. But unlike during the previous team's method, the current exercises they performed are aimed at strengthening their cores, increase their stamina, improving flexibility, mastering basic ball control, and learning the ropes of the speak takraw game.
"Bogro, I need you to help Chiko on full split stretching. The same routine as yesterday but I want you to go twice the duration."
"Yes, coach!" Bogro energetically replied as he lead Chiko on the side and the latter obediently followed albeit the hesitation.
A couple of seconds later, Chiko can be heard groaning in pain as Bogro casually pressed his crossed legs on both sides.
Next, Coach U-bear turned to Mark and instructed him to do another five laps around the school oval field while before he starts basic control practice with Inoy. It has been revealed to the team that Mark tends to use his head instinctively when reacting to an incoming ball. Slowly, they are trying to fix this faulty habit and allow him to adjust with proper body reaction.
Finally, the coach instructed Ferdy to have a spiking practice with the sub-team captain and tekong, Jevin. It is not a secret that out of the three newbies, only Ferdy has the most solid foundation. Not only the latter has been secretly training for years by himself, but he also has the most optimistic attitude when it comes to training.
The only problem with Ferdy was that though he was capable of executing good spikes and control, his weak stamina, lack of confidence, and inexperience against other real players caused him to get outperformed easily.
"Aggck! Coach, I think my legs are broken. I can't even feel them!" Chiko complained.
"That's normal. Improving leg flexibility is normally painful. I suggest you get used to it. Cause there is a hell more of flexibility exercises just for you."
"Coach! Haaah... Haaah... I finished five laps..." A gasping Mark Gantes arrived from doing his extra five-lapse course.
"Good. Get a five-minute rest and start basic ball control and passing with Inoy."
"Y-yes coach."
"Ferdy, do not hesitate on your move. Chase the ball no matter how far. Don't stop until you gave your all. Jevin don't show mercy and give it your best kick! Don't toss too high!" coach U-bear beckoned at the other two who are practicing spiking moves.
Days went on as the team juggled in between their practice and study schedules. There are days that some students would come and watch them. Mocking and laughter become a common sight especially when it comes to the big fluffy Mark. Fortunately, the latter has already steeled his mind. Not to mention, he can easily get back to those students with his fast hands whenever he wants anyway. But fortunately, he never did.
Sometimes, even their Saturday was booked with their steady practice exercise. They only get to have rest during Sunday on which Chiko would always grab his chance to visit his grandma back at the farm.
With the wise training guided by coach U-bear, slowly but surely, Chiko and the team Madtaks are starting to break free from their newbie shell. Their old weak bodies are now sun-kissed tan with more solid and flexible muscles.
Two months later, the Madridejos Community College sepak takraw team was now stronger than before. With their more refined body and knowledge of the game, Chiko and his gang were quick to catch up with Jevin's team.
Ferdy and Chiko are now capable of executing spikes but not with one hundred percent success. After all, learning the right timing and familiarization takes more time and effort.
Not to mention, Gantes lost a considerable amount of weight though he still needs around two or three more months of intense training and exercise to get back to his peak state.
It was finally August and, an important announcement was seen written on the bulletin board.
"So the week-long school founding anniversary will be held about eight months from now huh..." Chiko mumbled together with Gantes on his side. Ferdy on the other hand was already familiar with it and added,
"Yes, it happens for seven days with different sports and events. Come to think of it, since we are on the same course, there is a good chance that we would be representing our IT course sepak takraw team."
Chiko nodded in agreement, "It is a possibility indeed. It is actually a good opportunity to play against students from the other courses."
"But, since we are the official school sepak takraw players, don't you think it is too unfair on the other course players?" Gantes raised.
Hearing him, Yang shook his head and smiled, "I have been a janitor on this school for more than two years now and I pretty much knew all the hidden talented sepak takraw players on this school. Our school may not look like it but there are actually plenty of hidden talents here especially on sepak takraw."
"Wait, you mean there are other sepak takraw players in this college?" Chiko asked, surprised.
"Yes in fact they are pretty good in my opinion. Probably better than Jevin's team. The only one who managed to keep them in check in the past was Rino and his team. But now that they are not playing, those players are probably eager to dominate the sepak takraw tournament..."
While Ferdy was speaking, a couple of mocking voices came from behind.
"Look what we have here. It is the so-called official sepak takraw team of the school." A tall and rowdy-looking guy spoke with five other guys following him with mocking smiles.
"Lol. They are probably planning to represent the sepak takraw team this year. As if those practice games were enough to prepare them against us." one of his closer followers added in a condescending tone.
"Give it up Teletubbies. You ain't as good as Rino's team, so stop dreaming." The leader mocked.
"You think you guys are the only people training in preparation for this event? Hah. This year, our team Criminology department will dominate all the games and get that juicy price once and for all! Hahaha!"
"Do you guys smell that?! Oh wait, no wonder, the school janitor together with the balut vendor and the sweaty pig is here. No wonder the smell. Let's go, guys!"
The gang from the Criminology department left while laughing at Chiko and the rest. They were confident that they will be able to grab the championship this year now that Rino and his team are not in the school anymore.
"Wait." Chiko's voice shook. His eyes were hidden in shadow and the atmosphere was heavy.
"Did you he just said... a juicy price?" Chiko added while revealing his sparkling eyes.
"Oh boy here we go again." Yang rolled his eyes before he started explaining to the gold-eyed Chiko,
"You see Chiko, the department with the most event championship tally on the last day of the Founding anniversary becomes the overall champion. They will get their hand on a crispy Fifteen-thousand pesos cash prize together with a trophy. Second place department gets 10 thousand and five for the third placer."
"Then we should go back and train!" Chiko urged excitedly.
"They seem to be confident in defeating us. Don't they know we are official sepak takraw players of the school?" Chiko asked, bewildered.
Ferdy shook his head and replied, "In terms of sepak takraw field, few teams we need to be aware of aside from Jevin's team from of the education department, are the senior teams from the Criminology and the Marine departments."
"Are they really that good? If I am not mistaken, those are the guys who would constantly mock me every time they see me during my early morning jog." Mark Gantes added with a faint smile.
"They are actually pretty good. Perhaps on the veteran level. I heard they had been playing sepak takraw since high school and even on the street - with real high-stake bets. I have seen them play before but they don't show their real skills in front of the previous monster captain Rino because they believe it was no use. But against us, I am pretty sure they won't show mercy. Especially with that pent-up hatred against our official sepak takraw team."
"Then you can tell them I am looking forward to it." Gantes clasped his hands. His eyes were gleaming in excitement as he will finally get a chance to prove himself to those people who had been bashing him every day. Chiko on the other hand just had his eyes on the prize.
"So it seems our first official match will be against players of the other departments this founding anniversary... Are you guys ready?" Chiko looked back and saw nothing but the fire burning in the eyes of his teammates.
Their next step, get listed and prepare.
Meanwhile, from the distance, three men were also looking at the school announcement board. They were freshmen students of the HRM department and they too had confident smiles as they gazed at Chiko and his team.
If only Yang could see them, he should be able to identify them as one of those pro teams who joined the Santi event but also lost a few months ago.