IT WAS ALL A DREAM

I USED TO READ SLAM MAGAZINE. I thought grade 12 ball would be the best. I was WRONG. I didn't realize that I would be run ragged for 2 hours then not ever be played on the court. The other players and I on the bench have lost hope in playing senior ball ever. In the beginning of the season I was pissed when I played for a minute. Now? I'm praying that I just maybe... JUST MAYBE I'd get a minute or two of playing time. Even if I didn't score it would be fine with me. Our so called superstar in the Philippines coach apparently knows what's best. He'll beat the hell out of HIS superstars and just makes them play til the dying minute when THEY are already dying of exhaustion. What probably pissed me off the most this season was BC Catholics.

Hey this is the BC Catholics right? Enjoy it, it's your very last one! Make the best of it! Naww it was fucking bull. Let me tell you how the games went:

Game 1 vs Carney:

Played with the other bench players AFTER a 20+ lead was established in the 3rd quarter.

Game 2 vs ND:

N/A didn't play one bit same with the other guys on the bench. I guess he didn't trust we could add some relieve for his starters?

Game 3 vs VC:

Hey now, Don't think we're ganna beat what was the #3 AAA team in the province in the finals of the BC catholics. No matter how much pressure is put what makes you think it'll happen? They were obviously giving us just a tiny GLIMPSE of hope. Last minute left of the 4th quarter us grade 12's on the bench just want that 1 minute. Fortunately I was the lucky one to receive that one minute of play for us grade 12's LAST BC Catholics. Even though I was given that one minute of play, I felt my fellow grade 12's on the bench could have at least been given that opportunity to get on the floor even with the 30 point deficit. Honestly I was embarassed that it was only me picked to play that final minute and not the other grade 12's. 

Now I'm not saying that I should be playing there the whole game but I deserve at least ONE minute. I as a "Captain" have already sacrificed so much for this damn team. I sacrificed my time to practice bowling and become the international superstar that I AM suppose to be. Because I KNOW I will be a superstar and turn pro one day for bowling. To tell you the truth though I had thoughts of playing Div 1 ball for UDub(University of Washington) and become part of a supporting cast there. I didn't dream of becoming a star player for them, or even play in the NBA after. But to be benched for a damn AA team just crushed that out of my head. I'm not being cocky because I know I'm not amazing at ball but I've gone numerous camps and had coaches tell me to transfer ASAP to a AAA team. And now? I guess those guys are relieved I didn't go. Knowing that I'm rotting away as a Celtic... I never thought I'd EVER be this disappointed to be a Celtic. The whole season I've been "ready and willing" to end my ball career, but I didn't want to be labelled as a quitter. Now I'm thinking... So what if I became a quitter? I'd be happier honestly. Now all I can do is take all the bullshit "the man" throws at me. 

"when are you going to learn anything? alumni tournament of next year?"

"It's your fault all this is happening" (even if we're the ones sitting on the bench)

"This is why I took you out of the starting lineup!"

"Take one of your stupid shots when your open."( I got open shot the ball) - "what the hell are you doing?"(And then we're put on the bench, applies to all grade 12's)

"I'm very sorry for not playing you, I'll make it up to you somehow"(When? That was 2008 when you told me that)

"Everyone did an excellent job and I enjoyed it" (Only 7 people played that game)

That's the bullshit us grade 12's deal with, and we're done wasting our lives for ball just to sit on the pine. 

-ARTuliao #23 "Captain of the Bench"