Chapter 19 – The Preseason Showdown! When Sweat Meets Destiny!

The commotion from last night still lingered in my mind, but I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. Rebuilding my team and working together with the other members was my top priority. After all, we had a big game coming up.

As I arrived at the basketball court, which was conveniently located just a stone's throw from my house, Frankie called out to me. "Hey, captain!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the court.

I turned around, responding with a nod. “Yeah?"

But despite the casual greeting, my mind was already in game mode. This wasn't just a friendly match; it felt like the real deal. My teammates were scattered around the court, some stretching, others chatting idly. But I could sense the tension in the air.

Marlin's team, the hosts, were warming up, with Yon explaining their strategy to the team. Team Saturn, led by Zuan, was gathered around Geoffry, who was outlining their game plan. Arie stood by, offering moral support with a confident smile.

Just then, Gabriel from the Wild Cats team approached me, his eyes fixed intently on Yon. "Looks like Yon isn't backing down, huh, Alex?" he said, his voice low and competitive.

I raised an eyebrow, surprised he was talking to me like we were old rivals. "You're the one who's been talking trash all week, Gabe," I replied dryly.

But before Gabriel could respond, Yon sauntered over, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Yo, Dagger captain! And oh, it's you..." He jabbed at Gabriel, their rivalry palpable.

Gabriel shot back, "Just because you're trying to psyche out your opponents doesn't mean we'll let you have all the fun.”

Yon chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Yeah, just having you here gives me the creeps, Gabe.”

I stood there, caught in the middle of their testosterone-fueled banter, rolling my eyes good-naturedly. "Can we please focus on the game, guys?"

As the verbal sparring match between Yon and Gabriel continued, Zuan strolled over, accompanied by Awang, the captain of the Kings team. Awang's smirk hinted at amusement, but also a dash of competitiveness. "Well, well, well, looks like the trash talk is already heating up before the game even starts," Awang said, his eyes flicking between Yon and Gabriel. "And I thought this was supposed to be a friendly match... not a battle of wits.”

Zuan chuckled and clapped me on the back. "Bro, this isn't exactly what I had in mind. My principal's been breathing down my neck, wanting us to make a statement. But honestly, I just wanted to have some fun with you guys.”

I sympathized with him. "Yeah, I feel you. Sometimes the pressure can be overwhelming."

Just then, Arie dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves through our little gathering. "You know, with Team UMS joining the fray, the tension for the Championship is going to skyrocket. Unfortunately for Zuan, I'm on reserve. If he doesn't have any other choice, I'll be stepping in. Got it, junior?”

Zuan let out a deep sigh, while Geoffry approached us, his brow furrowed in concern. "Guys, this is getting bigger than I thought. We need to focus if we want to come out on top.”

As they discussed the implications, my mind kept drifting back to my encounter with the clone family. Shit, I really needed to focus on the game now. Time to put on my game face and kick it into high gear.

As I stood there, surrounded by my teammates, I couldn't shake off the feeling of exhaustion. I'd woken up ridiculously early, before the sun had even thought about rising, and it showed. Especially since I'd caught a glimpse of Slyvia still fast asleep, looking adorably rumpled – a far cry from her usual early-rising self.

The morning commute had been a blur, my mind preoccupied with the upcoming match. Before heading out, I'd stopped by the kitchen to bid my parents farewell.

"Assalamualaikum," I said, trying to sound more awake than I felt.

My dad looked up from his breakfast, a hint of surprise on his face. "Walaikumusalam... where are you off to so early? Got a school event today?”

I explained the friendly match, and my mom's face lit up. "Okay, go ahead! We'll come watch you play, okay?”

I nodded, gave them a quick kiss on the hand, and headed out the door. The ride to the Marlin's basketball court was uneventful, but my mind kept drifting back to the clone incident. At least Slyvia had taken care of that problem, confiscating my stuff and giving me one less thing to worry about. Now, I just had to focus on the game.

As we chatted, I glanced around at the motley crew of teams gathered before us. The friendly match, hosted by Team Marlins, was shaping up to be a real showdown. The lineup was crazy: Dagger (my team) from BORNEO-SIGMA College, Saturn (Zuan's team) from SMK Putatan, Marlins (Yon's team) from SMK Tembovo, Kings (Awang's team) from KK Highschool, Wild Cats (Gabriel's team) from Likas Sport school, and, Raflessia, from UMS, led by none other than Tyrone.

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement mixed with nerves. This was going to be a wild ride.

Just then, Coach David bellowed, "Huddle up!" We all converged, our teams forming tight circles.

Zuan grinned at me and said, "Alright, bro, all the best!" We bumped fists, and I headed back to my team.

As we dispersed, Gabriel waved goodbye, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Looks like we need to get ready... see you all on the court!”

Yon's enthusiasm was infectious. "This is getting exciting!" he exclaimed, pumping his fist as he rejoined his team.

Awan nodded at us, his expression serious. "Alright, good luck, guys. May the best team win!”

As I rejoined my team, the atmosphere shifted. The arrival of Tyrone's team, Raflessia, ratcheted up the tension. Tyrone himself was an imposing figure, his movements fluid and confident. I couldn't help but feel intimidated – and a little grateful that he'd chosen basketball over... other pursuits. Our last encounter in Compton, USA, still lingered in my mind.

Just as we were about to start the match, Yon dropped a bombshell. "Hey everyone! Let's get real here – I just wanted to play basketball, not promote my school!" He grinned mischievously. "The truth is, our principal has no idea we're all here, so let's keep it on the down-low and play like we're just a bunch of friends having fun!”

The coaches burst out laughing, including our own Coach David, who was clearly in on the joke. Gabriel facepalmed, while the others chuckled. I couldn't help but smile – this was exactly what we needed to break the tension.

But my team was a different story. They were wound up tighter than a drum, their nerves palpable. Even Frankie looked like he was about to jump out of his skin. I tapped him on the back, a little harder than necessary. "What the... captain?!" he yelped, rubbing his back. At least he was back to normal.

The juniors were quivering like leaves, but Devinson seemed to catch my vibe and was doing his best to keep them in line. Thiru, one of our team members, caught my eye and whispered, "Captain, it's like old times, isn't it? Just us, playing for fun.”

I nodded, and our injured players, who were watching from the sidelines, smiled and gave us thumbs-up. For a moment, it felt like we were back to our old selves, united and ready to take on the world – or at least, the basketball court.

The energy is building, and I can feel the excitement coursing through my veins like fuel for a high-octane match. I stand up, trying to rally my team. "Alright everyone... this is it!"

The juniors clamp their mouths shut, reserving their energy for the game ahead. Devinson, ever the motivator, chimes in, "Hey, juniors! You're lucky our captain's giving you a chance to shine! Get your game face on!”

I nod in agreement. "Yeah, treat it like we're just having fun, like old times when we played against each other in practice. Got it?”

The team erupts in a thunderous "OOOOO!" as I prepare to announce the starting lineup. I need to choose carefully, but I also want to ignite their passion. "Here we go... Devinson, you're our point guard as usual. You're the maestro out there!”

Devinson pumps his fist. "Got it, captain!”

"Next up, Frankie, you're our center. Other centers, take note – Frankie's going to show you how it's done!”

Frankie grins, bumping fists with me. "It's been a while since we've been on the court together, eh, captain?”

I move on to the next player. "Our shooting guard will be Adam. You're up, Adam!”

Adam looks a bit nervous, but Peter's encouragement is swift. "Hey, just keep your game face on, or did you bring your girlfriend here to watch you play?" The joke breaks the tension, and I raise an eyebrow. "Uh, yeah...?" Adam's response is sheepish, and I wonder – did he really bring a date?

I continue announcing the lineup. "Next, James, you're our power forward. You're up!"

James nods confidently, his eyes burning with determination. "I'll handle the forward position, backing up James," I say, glancing at Coach David for approval.

Coach David raises an eyebrow, seeming to ask, "Are you sure about this?" I nod, and he smiles. "Very well, your call.”

Our starting lineup is set: Frankie at center, Adam at shooting guard, Devinson at point guard, James at power forward, and me at small forward. We huddle up, discussing our tactics and strategy.

I decide to give it my all, sensing that the game won't start anytime soon. Meanwhile, the coaches gather at the center court for a coin toss to determine which team gets to start first.

After a brief ceremony, the billboard above the court flickers to life, displaying the matchups. "1st game - Saturn vs Marlins," I read, raising an eyebrow at Yon. "Looks like you're eager to take them down first, huh?”

The other matchups are revealed: "1st game - Wild Cats vs UMS" and "2nd game - Dagger vs Kings." It seems we've got some time to prepare.

My attention drifts to the Marlins vs Saturn match. Marlins' average height is shorter than Saturn's, except for Yon, who's slightly taller. They seem to have sacrificed their centers for speed. Saturn, on the other hand, is struggling without a reliable shooting guard.

I study Saturn's lineup: Zuan, Geoffry, Manuk, Raj, and Arie. Marlins' lineup is a mystery, except for Yon and... well, that's about it.

As the match is about to start, Coach David suggests we scout the Wild Cats vs UMS game. But I'm too invested in this one.

The tip-off begins, and Zuan jumps high, but the Marlins' player deliberately lets him win the tip. Zuan gains possession, but before he can even think about dribbling, Yon swoops in and steals the ball. "Fast break!" Yon yells, and we're all shocked by his speed. Only Geoffry manages to keep up, but Marlins scores the first basket.

"2-0! Marlins' ball!" The scoreboard lights up, and I'm speechless. These guys are fast – almost as fast as some of our own team members.

Zuan confers with Geoffry and Arie, and they glance at me, Arie lip-reading, "I'll show you why Yon is the one you need to watch out for…"

The game heats up, with Arie blocking Yon and Geoffry searching for space to set up Zuan for a score. But Zuan's struggling against Marlins' coordinated defense. A stunning 3-man block leaves me impressed – these teams are giving it their all!

Zuan's struggling to keep up, while Arie's busy blocking Yon's lightning-fast steals. Geoffry passes to Manuk, but it's clear they're relying on Raj to drive the scoring.

Raj charges towards the basket, only to be met by the same trio that was blocking Zuan. Raj attempts to pass, but Arie yells, "DUNK IT!" Before he can, however, one of the Marlins players – a young, muscular guy with a chiseled face – swoops in and steals the ball. He dashes towards the other side of the court with raw speed.

"Damn, that's just raw speed," I mutter to myself. Devinson raises an eyebrow. "Jeez, how did they not qualify for the league before?" I'm curious too.

The Marlins player takes a shot, and it goes in perfectly. "4-0! Marlins' ball!" The scoreboard lights up, and I'm impressed.

I'm not watching the UMS vs Wild Cats match because I know Tyrone's skills from our previous one-on-one match. With him leading the team, they're a different beast altogether. But Marlins has caught my attention – their coordination and speed are a real threat, even with our height advantage. It's like nothing I've seen since my time in the USA.

Suddenly, Arie guides Zuan, and then takes the ball, facing a 4-on-1 situation. Yon waits on the wing, looking confident that Arie will score. Arie seems amused, saying, "Fine, you really are a pushy guy…"

What happens next is pure magic. Arie weaves through the defenders like they're not even there, speeding past them. Zuan charges forward, Yon blocks Arie, and Arie somehow loses the ball. But the play doesn't end there – Manuk catches the ball and throws it to Zuan, who slam-dunks it with an alley-oop.

The basket shakes violently, and the crowd goes wild. "4-2! Saturn's ball!" I cheer, grinning. "YO, nice touch, bro!" I shout, pumped up by the play.

The momentum seems to shift in Saturn's favor, but Yon is far from giving up. With a fierce determination, he charges towards the basket, his physicality and speed allowing him to power through the defenders. He takes a layup and scores effortlessly.

"6-2! Marlins' ball!" The scoreboard lights up, and I nod in respect. Yon is a different beast when he's serious.

I think back to my decision to start the game early, hoping to set the tone for the others. It seems like the right call, given the intensity of the matches.

On the other side of the court, the Wild Cats vs Raflessia match is heating up. The scoreboard reads 3-10, just as I expected with Tyrone leading the team. He's a game-changer.

As the first quarter comes to a close, I'm surprised by the closeness of the score between Saturn and Marlins – 10-11. Despite the sheer difference in skill, the game is neck and neck.

Meanwhile, the other match is a different story altogether. The scoreboard reads 13-20, with Wild Cats struggling to keep up. Guess Tyrone's team is living up to expectations.

I'd had enough of watching the game, so I decided to warm up. I asked Coach David if I could head to the locker room to get ready, and he knew I was dead serious. This wasn't just any game – it was an all-day match that would require precise energy management and team coordination.

I started pumping iron, doing sit-ups and sit-downs to get my blood flowing. I tried to clear my mind, focusing on the task at hand. It had been a while since I'd felt this level of intensity.

As I warmed up, I heard the commotion outside die down. Long Man was doing his job, keeping everyone at bay. "Hey, he said he wanted to be alone!" Thanks, Long Man. I appreciated the peace.

But then I heard Mariam's voice, followed by my family's cheers. "Aww, come on, let's sit on the podium!" They were here to support me.

Slyvia's voice followed, asking Long Man for permission to talk to me. "Fine, but only at the door," Long Man said, trying to keep the peace.

"Good luck, darling... that's what I want to see here," Slyvia said, her voice sweet as honey. My lucky angel.

The first match was almost over, and Long Man called out, "It's time, captain." I stood up, towel in hand, and opened the door. My teammates were ready, their eyes locked on me.

Coach David briefed us on the previous match. "UMS won the first match 80-100. Tyrone's a force to be reckoned with. And Marlins dominated Saturn 99-78. I've never seen Saturn get beat like that…"

I looked at my team, my voice serious. "Now this is more like it... okay, gentlemen, looks like we have to get really serious about this..." The team erupted in a thunderous “OOOOOOO!!!!!!"

As we walked out onto the court, the crowd went wild. The announcer's voice boomed, "TEAM DAGGER!!!!!!!" I saw Slyvia, my family, Mariam, and Amin cheering us on.

The opposing team, Kings, emerged, led by Awang and Wesley, the towering kid. "Yo, about time, eh?" Awang said, grinning.

"Yep... Yon is something else," I replied.

"Yeah, that bastard's really riling us up... even Wesley's fired up..." We both pumped our fists, ready to start the match. The energy was electric, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins.