A sharp, drawn-out whistle signaled the start of the third quarter of the Class Meeting semifinal.
The school's outdoor concrete court erupted with the roar of cheering spectators. The 11th-Grade Science 2 team led 12th-Grade Social Studies 1 by four points, and the game had been fiercely contested since the opening minute.
"Focus! Stay calm!" Kevin shouted as he wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. He threw the ball toward Dimas, who was standing at midcourt.
"Kevin, watch the left side!" Nayla yelled from the sideline, anxiously gripping the scoreboard.
Dimas dribbled the ball quickly before passing it to Rey, who stood at the outside right corner of the three-point area. Rey caught it smoothly and prepared to take a jump shot.
But from the side, one of the 12th-Grade Social Studies 1 players deliberately leaped at him with his elbow raised high.
Wham!
The brutal collision landed squarely on Rey's shoulder and chest, sending him sprawling onto the rough concrete surface.
Prrriit!
"Foul!" the referee shouted.
The opposing player merely flashed a contemptuous smile as he walked past Rey, who was still kneeling on the ground. "What a weakling. I barely shoved you. New kid, don't act so cocky on the court."
The stands instantly fell tense. Maya covered her mouth in shock from the sideline. "Jeez, they're playing so rough!"
Rey winced softly, clutching his shoulder as a dull ache throbbed through it. Before he could get to his feet on his own, a large figure suddenly charged in front of him.
Kevin was standing directly in front of the opposing player, gripping the collar of his jersey with an angry expression.
"What the hell was that?!" Kevin roared, his eyes blazing with fury.
The opposing player snorted slyly. "Relax, Captain. I barely bumped him. Why are you the one getting all worked up?"
"You call that barely?!" Kevin snapped, shoving the other player's shoulder and forcing him back a step. "You deliberately led with your elbow! Don't play dirty here!"
"Wait, don't you hate that new kid too?" the opposing player goaded him with a mocking laugh. "Great, then. I was helping you get him off the court!"
"I do hate him!" Kevin shouted without hesitation, his voice carrying all the way to the sideline. "But he's my player! You play rough with one of my teammates, and you answer to me!"
Dimas and Aris rushed over to restrain Kevin, who was already ready to throw a punch.
"Take it easy, Vin! Don't lose your temper, or you'll get a technical foul!" Dimas shouted, trying to pull Kevin back by the waist.
"The accuracy of your emotional decisions is down fifty percent right now, Vin. Control yourself," Aris added, gripping Kevin's arm tightly.
Rey slowly got to his feet and brushed the concrete dust from his pants. He walked over to Kevin, then tugged on the back of Kevin's number-seven jersey, pulling the team captain backward.
"Kevin, let go," Rey said flatly.
Kevin turned around and glared at Rey in irritation. "You're just going to stand there after he elbowed you?! He did it on purpose, Rey!"
"I know," Rey replied calmly, meeting Kevin's eyes without blinking. "But if you get a red card for losing control, our team is the one that loses. Do you want us to lose?"
"I don't like the way they play!" Kevin grumbled, still breathing hard with anger.
"Prove it on the scoreboard, not with your muscles," Rey replied softly, but the words struck home. He tilted his head slightly. "Besides... since when do you care about me?"
Kevin's face suddenly flushed red. He roughly released his grip on the opposing player's jersey, then looked away.
"I don't care about you!" Kevin snapped irritably. "I just don't want my team getting cheated! Don't get so full of yourself!"
"Oh, is that so?" Rey murmured with a faint smile. "Then give me the ball."
The referee handed Rey the ball for the free throws. With calm, precise movements, Rey shot twice in a row.
Swish! Swish!
Both shots sailed cleanly through the hoop without touching the rim.
The score increased by two points. The spectators in the stands erupted in cheers.
Kevin walked past Rey as they returned to the defensive end. Without looking at Rey's face, he muttered under his breath, "Your shoulder okay?"
Rey glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "I thought you didn't care?"
"Can't you just answer the question?!" Kevin grumbled, growing even more flustered.
"Just a little bruised," Rey answered casually. "I'm still good enough to make passes for you."
Kevin swallowed and clenched his fist in the air. "You'd better not start feeling weak, or I won't help you again!"
"I don't need your help," Rey teased with a faint smile. "Just focus on scoring, Captain."