Of Shuttlecocks, Rackets, and Fellowship In The Court: BADMINTON with PBOers

L-R (Mar, Pao, Empi, and Me, on top Arvin)

It's kinda odd that I need to read some blogs out of my circle of bloggers to trigger me to write again. Honestly, I'm really having a hard time processing my thoughts. As if I don't even know how to write anymore. I can't even easily expound an idea. What the heck is happening to me?

Is there something wrong with me? Is my zest in writing have gone sour? Oh no! it is a bad thing- really a not-so-good-idea to entertain with.

I held-off writing for quite sometimes already - a couple of weeks or so. After posting three entries about meet-ups and a thank you post, I suddenly feel like I'm drown in again to "sabaw moment". I shouldn't have permitted a long period of hiatus. The pending entries in my drafts if only they can speak would really prompt me begging to finish it off and post 'em.

Thanks to the blog of a fellow-blogger of mine Paolo Mangdingiado upon which reading some of his entries propelled me to open my lappy and start writing again. I have been meaning to write a post about our badminton session during my vacation stint. A badminton session together with the PBOers - namely: Mar, Pao, Empi, Rix, and Arvin. The number could have been more if only some were able to go with us during that time. But blame it to their work schedules posing as the culprit of not making it with us.

The King of Chateau De Archieviner - my online son Arvin and I had to call some badminton centers early morning of February 18, 2013 to inquire and eventually avail of their court vacancies. It took us quite sometime ( for like an hour or so) before we finally had our venue reserved. The PowerSmash Badminton Center in Pasong Tamo, Makati was able to accommodate us on that same evening. And since I played as the spokesman of the group, I reserved two courts for a 7-8pm slot and another court for an 8-9pm time. 

Finally, eagerness to step in again inside the badminton court was the cause of my hardly contained excitement. It's been a year since I last played in the Middle East. I don't even know if I can still pull-off  a walloping smash or if I can still break a shuttlecock (yabang mode-hahaha!). In badminton, no matter how good you are in this sport if you lack practice your speed, stamina, endurance, and skill deteriorates. In order to be able to come to your ace game or at your peak, you need to be exposed again and battle head to head with the better players.

What excites me more that time was the thought that maybe some, if not all, of the PBOers are really good in the court. I had misgivings na baka tatahi-tahimik lang sila pero halimaw pala sa court. But when we had our game and I had them sized-up already, they fairly play lang naman pala - none of them were a huge treat to me - hehehe - yabang mode ulet - hehe. All the while, I was thinking na baka pagapangin ako hahaha. I was keen on Pao, Empi and Mar that time - hahaha! Inisip ko kasi na siguro ang gagaling talaga nila.

But far beyond the competitive side of our play, the bonding emerged as the great thing that happened that night. The fellowship in the court was what played an important role amongst us. The game was more likely a game of camaraderie and fun.

And without much ado, here are the actions that took place in the court. Enjoy your eyes' ride everyone!

With Empi as my front man while I'm at the back waiting for a smash

Empi - my fave pair in doubles - hahaha..playing favorite pala ako hahaha

We're on guard against Mar and Rix's tandem. Any wrong move siguradong smash to kill 'to hahaha!

Still with Empi in front while rallying with Mar and Rix team up

This time I was able to partner with Rix while Pao and Empi on the other side.

I'm readying myself for a possible smash against Pao and Empi

The king and Mar tandem

Pao and Empi's team up

Where can you find a player who poses first before an exchange of rally? Only Pao can do that hahaha!

Mar and king Archieviner in action

After the game, it's like a must for us to pose for a good cam shot.

Senyor aka Christian who isn't a sporty one eagerly requested us to drop by at their office in RCBC Plaza after our game. He had been calling and texting us to drop by and have coffee at Starbucks located at the 3rd floor of the towering landmark. Since we visited a blogger-friend who was admitted then in the hospital, we're quite hesitant if we can still give in to Senyor's request but luckily when the bus where we're riding finally had a stop in Ayala area, all of us alighted and we just found ourselves walking towards RCBC Building. We even g0t lost as to which entrance we shall go through. We had to ask some guards on post to tell us which way to go inside. Finally we entered in and met Senyor inside the famed coffee shop. 

And mind you, nilibre niya kami lahat - panalo di ba?

I took this photo which explains my absence in the scene.

What I realized that night was the friendship that was formed - a friendship that perhaps you would think that it was like 10 years already. It's spot on, unassuming, and true.

As each one of us journey along with our separate lives, we met together for one goal alone - to continue playing one of the sports that makes our blood pressure runnin' at a normal rate. Our degree of commitment may vary but the love for this sport will remain in us as long as we can and still able to play the game.

Life is like a game, most of the time you need to risk playin' it in order to win a challenge. But losing isn't the end of it all but a beginning of a stronger and wiser player in you. Most importantly, you have to play it with all your passion and enjoy every challenging encounters.

Guys, I'm looking forward to seeing you again in court, probably with more company to bond and to just have fun.

POWERSMASH BADMINTON COURT
2227 Pasong Tamo, Makati City
Near Nissan Center
Tel No: 02 892 8024