LONG BEFORE these inter-color, inter-barangay, inter-town, inter-commercial tournaments and one-day league became popular, there were the friendly pustahang ice-tubig in make-shift basketball and volleyball courts which one can find in every nook and cranny around the barangay.
Sometimes, the games were played on a vacant lot, a neighbor’s garage, or even a rice paddy that was “flattened” after the harvest to resemble a playing court. In most cases, games were played on a half-court right in the middle of the barangay road, with the board and ring attached to a wooden electric post or any sturdy tree trunk.
I remember how from morning till late afternoon, the make-shift half court located a few meters from our house was filled with young boys and the not-so-young men who took turns playing a basketball game of a race to 11 or to 21, depending on the number of other groups waiting for their turn to play. There was no significant amount of cash that served as a bet, wager or stake; unless of course you could consider the pesus-pesus collection for thirst-quenching ice tubig that served as the prize.
There would even be a shooting match in between games, where any interested player can join and display his shooting prowess. A certain distance from the ring would be determined, sometimes a line is drawn using a chalk, or in most cases just a slipper which no player should cross or step on, or take the risk of being disqualified from winning the “pot money.”
I was already in college when I found myself going around different barangays in Macabebe and Masantol for a game of volleyball. Back then, it was not as popular as it is today but there was already a growing number of players who were beginning to be hooked on the game. My bff Rani would always find a way to gather us every Saturday, and then decide which barrio to explore for a volleyball match and other adventures.
We were a major force to reckon with on the court, both for our well-balanced offensive and defensive volleyball skills. Our opponents would always remark, “Oren na reng salusad!” There was not even a libero during that time but we were known for our flawless reception and impeccable digging skills. Our “sweeping” abilities enabled us to keep the ball in play, and prevent it from dropping on the floor, most of the time. Our net defense was also on-point and so were our varied attacks, including our drop balls executed with the grace and poise of ballerinas. When it was our best server’s turn on the service area, we would request a double-blade or triple-blade for a killer of a serve that translated into an automatic point.
At the same time, we gained notoriety for our audacity to challenge the referees for wrong calls. We would never back down from any wrong call and would protest strongly for infractions committed by our opponents. Back then, most players were not yet familiar with the rules so we always found a way to reverse a wrong call. My bff Rani would always come up with explanation that kept everyone in stitches “Holding! Meg-merienda ne ing bola kareng gamat mu!” Or when someone touches the net, we would all shout “Kitig! Melambat ya ing bulig.” Our opponents and the spectators would then laugh with us and take everything in stride.
Matches were played from 8:00 until 11:00 in the morning and sometimes extend until past 12:00 noon. While the games were ongoing, somebody would go around to collect any amount that anyone was willing to share – others called it patak-patak but my gay friends and I would gladly announce, “Sheryl Cruz na!” This meant all of pitching in for a lunch of tinolang native na manok, derang tilapia freshly caught from the pond, assorted vegetables sautéed in shrimp paste, or ginisang sardinas a binulugan maligoso, or any food that our “hosts” would cook heartily for the dayo. After lunch, we would stay for an afternoon nap on bamboo papag under the canopy of native fruit-bearing trees. Sometimes the rest of the players would play a game of cards to kill time.
At about 3:00 in the afternoon, the other dayo would start arriving for afternoon matches. This meant playing games until past 5:00 PM. The players would even take turn in officiating the games. After the matches, we would walk our way home, relieving game highlights and sharing funny anecdotes.
Today, athletes go around and join tournaments to play the sports they love. My only wish is that as these sports competitions provide them the perfect avenues to sharpen their skills and hone their athleticism, may they also find the opportunities to forge lasting friendships with their teammates and build new ones with their on-court rivals.
