Chapter Text
Almost two months ago, we won our second and last UAAP Championship. It was truly a hard fought season for us, especially Cassie and I. We were both given huge responsibilities, ako as Team Captain and of course Cassie as our main setter. I am sure hindi namin magagawa yun without the support na nakukuha namin sa isa't isa and sa team especially from the Thomasian community who have witnessed our highs and lows.
Five years playing for UST was a very long time and it was worthwhile. A lot of things happened, how we survived playing without Ate Eya and Ate Imee and facing the giants NU during Season 86, Losing Xyza and Ate Jo to injuries during Season 87, getting that Gold during Season 88 with Blood, Sweat, and a lot of tears, and most especially playing one final year with my best setter and winning back to back Championships for UST. Totoo nga yung sinabi nila, the UAAP experience was extraordinary and I can’t believe that eto na yun tapos na kami and we’re off to face another milestone in our careers.
Here we are at Novotel, preparing ourselves for draft night. Nauna ako because, Cassie had to go somewhere and we agreed to just meet here at the hotel. Hindi ko napansin na dumating na pala siya, eto ako reminiscing our college days.
Nilapitan ako ni Cassie para halikan sa noo, as you all know since college hindi naman yan siya clingy pero kapag ako, Clingy Casoy always.
Cassie: What are you thinking about? Parang ang seryoso mo?
Reg: Wala iniisip ko lang na ang bilis ng panahon dati rookies lang tayo at bilang na bilang pa yung bangs mo pero syempre ganun pa rin ngayon. Hahaha!
Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin, ever the pikon Casoy. Tumabi siya sakin sa may sofa and just leaned on my shoulder.
Reg: Iniisip ko lang na 2 months ago we were able to get the Championship. You were crowned as best setter, my best setter.
Cassie: Don't forget na ang magandang girlfriend ko ay Best Opposite at Finals MVP ng Season 89. I can't believe na super rollercoaster ride yung UAAP years natin.
Reg: If the fans see how clingy you are right now especially the CassReg nation, hahaha baka hinimatay na sila.
Cassie: Ang tagal nilang hinintay yung moment na to, I'm sorry if natagalan at nagbulag-bulagan ako.
Reg: We had to experience all those things, Cass. We are braver and more mature now. Nakakatuwa lang makita yung edits natin noon. Especially, that one edit na finavorite mo pa.
Cassie: Don't remind me, hindi ko alam pano ako nakatagal ng malayo sayo and you trying to distance yourself just because... I don't want to mention it anymore. I love you, Reginald.
Reg: I will always be soaper proud of you, Casoy. I love you.
~~~
Sabay na silang pumunta sa function hall for the draft and nauna na pala si Xyza, Maemae, and Ate Jo sa table nila. Knowing Xyza magbibiro na naman ito.
Xyza: Oh andito na pala yung lovebirds eh, este yung mag-bestfriend. Bakit antagal niyo sa taas? Mamaya na kayo mag-loving loving magpa-draft muna kayo.
Sabay-sabay na nagtawanan yung tatlo na nauna sa table.
Reg: If I know, inggit ka lang. Galawin kasi ang baso antagal ka na inaantay ni Trevor.
Maemae: Ohhh burn...
Xyza: Che, umupo na nga kayo.
~~~
Angel and Shevana were drafted sa KOVO respectively so sa mga batchmates nila more or less nasa higher rank na talaga ang girls. As the draft started eto yung sequencing ng teams:
1. Petrogazz Angels
2. Chocomucho Flying Titans
3. Galleries High Tower Risers
4. Cignal HD Spikers
5. PLDT High Speed Hitters
6. Creamline Cool Smashers
7. NXLED
8. Akari
9. Farm Fresh
10. Capital One
11. Cherry Tiggo
12. Zus
The venue announcer started the program and it's time to choose the first pick of the draft.
Chairman Malonzo: The Petrogazz Angels select Ms. Regina Grace Jurado from the UST Golden Tigresses as the number one pick of the draft...
Reg and Cassie were holding hands sa ilalim ng table when she was announced as the first pick. Cassie felt Reg’s hand got cold, she draw circles to her knuckles as if to calm her and cheered her on.
Cassie: I'm so proud of you, baby. Stand up and meet Nang Aiza, ang tagal mong inintay ang moment na to. You go get it, my No. 1 pick.
Napatingin si Reg kay Cassie with teary-eyes na parang silang dalawa lang yung tao nung time na yun.
Ate Jo: Mga beh, mamaya na yan. HAHHAA! Regina tumayo ka na at maglakad. Congrats, Pay.
As Reg walked to the stage, winelcome siya ni Nang Aiza and ng new teammates niya and CS ng PGA.
Host: Hi Reg, congratulations on being selected as number one pick this draft. Can you give us a few words...
Reg: Good evening, everyone. I would like to thank the Lord for this opportunity, sa family ko po, sa Thomasian Community, I would not be here kung hindi po dahil sa suporta niyo, and to the person who holds my heart, you know who you are, thank you for being with me since day one.
*she winked at Cassie's direction just as she said those words
Host: Let us all congratulate and give a round of applause to our No. 1 pick, Reg Jurado.
Bumalik na sa upuan si Reg and the host continued for the next pick...
Host: For our next pick, the Chocomucho Flying Titans select... Ma. Cassandra Rae Carballo, from the UST Golden Tigresses.
Reg: Congratulations my love, umakyat ka na sa stage.
As Cassie walked towards the stage, Reg, Xyza, and Jonna cheered their hearts out.
Host: So Cassie, anong masasabi mo as No. 2 pick and what can we expect from you.
Cassie: Super super thank you po for this opportunity and sa CMFT rest assured po na I will do my best na pag-aralan yung system and thank you po for picking me.
Pagbalik sa upuan, agad na hinawakan ni Cassie yung kamay ni Reg and all throughout the program hindi na sila bumitaw.
As the draft continued, the following draftees were selected:
3. GHT: Vange Alinsug
4. CHD: Jonna Perdido
5. PHSH: Xyza Gula
6. CCS: Maemae Coronado
7. NXLED: Barbie Jamili
8. Akari: Gezeel Tsunashima
9. Farm Fresh: Gerz Petallo
10. Capital One: Van Bangayan
11. Cherry Tiggo: Kc Cepada
12. ZUS: Chammy Maaya
After the program, dahil pagod na sila they went back to their respective rooms and nag-agree na lang na sabay sabay mag breakfast kinabukasan.
Pagkabalik nila ng room, Reg can't help but be emotional. They truly have come so far, those two girls na hindi lubos makapaniwala na magiging close sila at magiging ganito sila ngayon. What once was a missed set to her, was definitely a blessing in disguise.
Reg: I am soaper proud of you, Casoy. Always remember that. Hindi naging madali, we had our ups and downs pero know that I will always love you, love.
Cassie: Ako nga ang dapat nagsasabi sayo niyan. I love you, baby. Thank you for waiting for me, my MVP. Ikaw at ikaw lang. Look at us now, ikaw ang top pick pero para sakin ikaw lang ang only pick. I love you, Reginald.
The end.