The whistle blew sharply, signaling the start of the second quarter, and the buzz inside Dasmariñas Arena shifted subtly — the crowd now deeply invested, the tension tighter like a coiled spring ready to release. The Black Mambas led convincingly, but the battle was far from over.
Coach Gutierrez stood steady by the sidelines, clipboard in hand, eyes darting around with the predator's focus. Time to refresh, refocus, and reset.
"Mark, Kyle, Felix—you're going in," he called calmly yet firmly, glancing at Tristan, Joseph, and Ian.
Tristan nodded, sweat dripping, breathing heavy from the blistering first quarter. "Got this," he said quietly as Mark stepped forward, eyes alight with determination.
Joseph clapped Kyle on the shoulder, a brief smile crossing his face. "Make 'em feel it, sword and shield."
Ian blinked at Felix, who cracked his knuckles, ready. "Hold the paint," Ian muttered.
"Will do," Felix replied, nodding with fierce resolve.
The crowd stirred again, sensing the fresh energy on the floor.
Mark stepped in at point guard, grasping the ball with a confident grip. His eyes scanned cautiously yet intentionally.
Kyle slid smoothly into the small forward spot, quick on his feet and eager.
Felix settled under the basket, bearing the weight of the center position.
The Black Mambas reset, now with a blend of energized youth and veteran savvy.
9:15 — The ball is inbounded to Mark, who dribbles cautiously past half court. The Yellow Submariners defense presses high and aggressive, led by Reyes roaring down low.
Mark calls out, "Set pick on right, Gab!"
Gab lurks at power forward, nodding sharply, sliding to use his body to screen.
Mark snags the screen and twists left, pulling his defender out of position, then zips a sharp pass to Kyle cutting hard to the basket.
Kyle rises for a layup, smoothly slipping it through the net under heavy coverage.
Score: Black Mambas 15 — Yellow Submariners 4
"And just like that, the Mambas' fresh legs show their value! Kyle punches in the fast break score as Mark commands the court confidently. The new lineup brings a fresh wave of energy." Announcer said.
The Mambas' section cheers uproariously, waving banners. "Go! Go! Mambas!" chants swell like waves.
Some Submariners fans murmur disapproval but clench fists with renewed anticipation for a comeback.
8:10 — Submariners call a quick play. Dela Cruz pushes through Felix's defense, drawing a double-team near the paint. He swings a quick pass to Santos on the right wing.
Santos, fired up, pulls up beyond the arc—launches a classic three-pointer.
Swish.
Score: Black Mambas 15 — Yellow Submariners 7
Mark murmurs:
"Nice shot. Stay close, keep pressure."
Kyle squares up defensively, "No freebies."
7:35 — The Mambas respond swiftly.
Mark takes the ball at midcourt, eyes blazing.
He sends a lob pass just behind the defense toward Felix under the basket.
Felix catches, spins past Reyes, and slams down a thunderous dunk over half a dozen defenders.
"Felix with the emphatic dunk! That's the kind of inside presence the Black Mambas need to disable Reyes' dominance." Announcer said.
The arena practically shakes from the eruption of cheers and claps. Spectators leap from seats, voices rising double-time.
5:50 — On defense, Kyle moves fast to contest Santos's attempt to drive baseline, forcing the Submariner star into a tough fadeaway jumper.
The ball rims in and out, then is rebounded by Felix, who quickly pushes to the offensive end.
He dishes it out to Mark, who's cutting left.
Mark pulls up for a pull-up jumper, sinking it cleanly.
Score: Black Mambas 19 — Yellow Submariners 7
Joseph, from the bench, shouts:
"Way to keep the tempo! Push, push, push!"
05:00 — The Submariners regroup, focusing on inside scoring to chip away.
Reyes receives the ball deep in the post, backs down Felix with brute strength, then pivots to pass out to Dela Cruz in the corner.
Dela Cruz drives hard, dishing inside to Jackson Reyes who scores through contact with a tough layup.
Score: Black Mambas 19 — Yellow Submariners 11
Coach Gutierrez barks:
"Don't let up on him! Box out strong!"
4:20 — The Mambas execute a perfect pick-and-roll.
Mark dribbles right, setting up a screen from Gab.
Mark drives hard past the defense, then dishes to Gab rolling to the basket.
Gab catches midair and finishes with a put back.
Score: Black Mambas 21 — Yellow Submariners 11
"What a play! Gab's put back and the seamless pick-and-roll show disciplined execution from the Mambas. These athletic mismatches are visibly wearing down the Submariners."
The crowd erupts in approval, with several "Mambas! Mambas!" chants echoing in waves.
3:35 — Santos tries to spark a comeback with a killer crossover, driving into Kyle who holds tight.
Santos pulls back and sinks a deep three to cut the lead.
Score: Black Mambas 21 — Yellow Submariners 14
Mark storms to Kyle:
"Close out tighter! No open shots!"
Kyle groans, "On it."
2:45 — On the next possession, Mark and Kyle coordinate for a fast-break pass.
Mark dribbles deep, then finds Kyle cutting baseline—Kyle finishes with an acrobatic layup, drawing a foul.
Kyle clasps Mark's hand, pumping energy with a grin.
He sinks both free throws.
Score: Black Mambas 24 — Yellow Submariners 14
Coach Gutierrez shouts:
"That's the aggression! Keep attacking, keep finishing!"
1:40 — With less than a minute left, the Submariners fight desperately.
Reyes powers to the rim but is met by Felix's strong contest; the shot misses.
Dela Cruz recovers and throws a quick outlet to Santos, who launches a contested three—that rattles out.
The rebound is gathered by Gab, who immediately passes to Mark.
Mark dribbles out the clock as the quarter winds down.
0:00 — End of Second Quarter
Scoreboard:
Black Mambas 24 — Yellow Submariners 14
"What an incredible second quarter here at Dasmariñas Arena! The Black Mambas come out firing with a new lineup, bringing fresh energy and dominance — especially inside with Felix and Gab. The Submariners look rattled but are far from done."
"The Mambas' ball control and disciplined defense have allowed them to build a commanding ten-point lead as we head into halftime. Can the Submariners regroup, or will the Mambas keep this fire blazing in the second half?" Announcer said.
The crowd buzzed with excited debate.
One elderly fan nodded, mumbling, "That Felix kid's a beast. Look at how he denies Reyes."
A young woman puffed on her scarf, "I love the speed Mark and Kyle bring. They're our secret weapons today."
Children waved scarves and shouted, "Go Mambas! Keep it up!"
Back in the dugout, the starters panted and wiped sweat, faces glowing with satisfaction and determination.
Mark grinned as Tristan returned to the bench. "Took the reins fine. You resting up?"
Tristan smiled wearily. "Yeah, but I missed the action out there."
Kyle nudged Joseph, "Feels good to finally shake the nerves and make plays."
Joseph smirked, "You looked like you owned it."
Felix, fresh from slowing Reyes, nodded toward Ian. "We're holding down the fort. But Reyes will come back harder."
Gab threw an arm around Kyle's shoulder, quietly confident. "Don't let the lead fool you — game is far from over. Keep focus."
Coach Gutierrez gathered the group, voice low but authoritative.
"We did what we needed. Ten-point lead is good but not safe. Keep battling, keep sharp. We play smart, disciplined basketball for 40 minutes."
Tristan caught Coach's eyes with a fierce nod. "We've got this."
As the team prepared to head off the court for halftime, Tristan glanced again at his hidden system.
Missions wait. Points ready.
But this mission — beating the Yellow Submariners — feels more real than ever.
He inhaled deeply, steadying nerves.
Tomorrow, another day. Another step toward the prize.