Welcome To My Life

So near yet so very far --- victory

My first official badminton tournament is over. The first surprise in this tournament was when my doubles partner, Anna and I read the email that instead of being in Level E, we were placed in Level F. When I first saw this, I didn't know if I'd be angry or sad. I was already psyched up in being in Level E, and when Level F was thrown at my face, it was all mixed feelings.

and this winner is...

But on the day of the tournament, all those feelings went away. I realized that the organizers or the person in charge of the leveling really knew how to spot the beginners from the experienced ones. I finally accepted that we were right in our level and we really have to play at our best.

the championship trophy -- ganda no?

So on a Sunday morning, March 2, 2008, I was forced to wake up early and play serious Badminton. Since this was our first tournament, when my partner and I got there, we didn't know what to do. We were almost late for our first game because we had to register first and get our shirts and loot bag (I won in their raffle by the way, it was a calling card case from the Phil. Daily Inquirer, I feel so lucky already; plus their loot bag was composed of products from Prima and Colgate -- the sponsors).

the PDI card case that I won in the raffle

Prima Pasta Invitational Badminton Open Loot Bag

The contents of the loot bag -- the mouse and the sandok were weird contents

On our first game, the ladies weren't that good, we beat them in 2 sets with a wide margin. One was good though and was rather frustrated with her partner, her partner was the cause of their downfall. All she did in the court was pretty herself up and look good in uniform and that was it.

On our second game, my partner and I weren't playing that good. Lots of errors from our side and nerves got in our way. We lost in 2 sets. After the game, we talked a bit with the players that beat us and found out that it was their first tournament also, it was their first time to be partners and they don't play that often. So after knowing all that and being beaten by them, morale was a little low between me and Anna. Also, with no one to support and encourage us further, it was a pretty bum feeling. We both wished the Wednesday group were here with us.

After sulking over that game, Anna and I were convincing ourselves that the previous game was a wake up call for us and was a challenge for us on our upcoming last elimination game. We have to win the next game in order for us to reach the finals and win the big moolah. This is it! Make or Break!

The third game came and we won! Though it was a 3 set game, we were happy! It was our best game ever! It was like we were playing with our Wednesday group buddies. We kicked their asses, considering this third team was a "Team Prima" team, wherein they had their coaches and cheerers on the side. Everyone in our level also thought that this team was the strongest team. Too bad for them, we're through to the finals!!!! Whoopteedoodahh!!

At this point, Anna and I can taste our victory. We were so very sure that we can win the championship in our level. Bwahahahaha The team that beat us only got lucky when we played them. On the final game, we'll show them what we're really made of.

posing before the awarding

On the final game, we experienced what it felt like to be in VIPs. Before the game, the finalists have to be introduced to the crowd and announced to the whole event that the finals on our level is up. We had to march to the middle of the court and bow to the audience and the officials. It was fun!! We were all psyched up. Anna and I are ready to crush our enemies.

with the owner of Prima, awarding our medals and cash prize

We won the first set with a big margin. The other team was scared now, we can tell. Hehehe Then came the second set, a little bit of errors from our side but the margin in the score was still close. Then, on the most fateful and crucial part of the game, my partner hurt her knee. She twisted it in an awkward way and it hurt. She's had this injury for quite sometime now too. I know what she was feeling because I twisted my ankle the last time I played in our office tournament and it really hurt.

After that incident, you've guessed it -- we lost. We lost the second and final sets. My partner really hurt her knee and according to her, my morale went down with it too. I didn't play well after that and I have to admit that. It was like I lost hope in winning the game even if she still played after the injury break. So sad... but I didn't mean to feel that way. Sniff!

with the team that beat us in the finals -- Chris and Madonna

Though I wasn't that too disappointed with our loss because we lost because of an injury and not because they were better than us. We knew that we were better than them, if not for Anna's injury and my support for the team gone, we could've been the champions that's for sure. I was even worried of my ankle getting hurt again, but it was my partner's bad day. I should've passed on my adrenaline rush to her so she couldn't feel the pain in her knee whatsoever. At least that's what I did on my last tournament, and after the tounament, my ankle hurt like HELL!!! But it's getting better now, I think... hehehe

kahit ilang sandali eh mahawakan namin ang trophy na di naging amin

Oh well, another lesson learned for both of us, maybe next year... For sure we'll join other tournaments, but before that, we better make sure our injuries are gone so we can finally taste the sweetness of victory.

typo lang sila dito, dapat champion ang nakalagay dyan

posted by tabel @ 3/03/2008 11:30:00 PM