๐ฅ A Day before THE LEAGUE ROAR BACK TO LIFE... sports shows, radio stations, and online pages began buzzing.
And one topic kept coming back again and again:
Buffalo vs. Komodo.
"How strong are the Komodo Dragons really?" one commentator asked.
"They were beaten badly by Buffalo in a tune-up game."
Another analyst replied,
"But the Buffalo's almost beat the Spiders and the Bulldogs too. That's not coincidence anymore."
Fans argued online.
Some said Komodo was just experimenting.
Others said the champions were starting to crack.
And slowly, quietlyโฆ
People stopped calling Buffalo the weakest team.
Instead, they started saying:
"Maybe Buffalo is the dark horse this season."
Inside the Buffalo locker room, the players heard everything.
And it made them nervous.
Because being underestimated is comfortable.
Being expected to win is terrifying.
Victor said one night while tying his shoes,
"Last season nobody cared if we lost. Nowโฆ everyone's watching."
Santino replied,
"Good. Let them watch."
But Elias said nothing.
Because he knew attention could lift youโฆ
Or crush you.
Then the opening day has come.
The sun had not even fully risen when the streets around Titan Dome Arena were already alive.
Vendors were setting up grills.
Kids were wearing jerseys two sizes too big.
Fans were lining up, chanting team names, waving flags, arguing about predictions.
Opening Day of the National Open Basketball League โ Season 3 had finally arrived.
Inside the arena, the lights were dim, the massive center-court stage glowing under soft blue beams.
Giant LED screens wrapped around the upper walls, flashing highlights from last season โ buzzer-beaters, hard fouls, championship confetti falling like rain.
Tonight wasn't just about basketball.
Tonight was about new beginningsโฆ and unfinished business.
A deep voice boomed through the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemenโฆ welcome to the OPENING CEREMONY of the National Open Basketball League!"
Fireworks burst from the corners of the court. The crowd exploded.
Drums rolled.
Spotlights began to move.
"One by oneโฆ please welcome the warriors of this season!"
A haunting instrumental echoed, sounding like something rising from the depths.
Out walked the team muse, dressed in shimmering sapphire, flowing fabric trailing behind her like water in slow motion.
Then the announcer shouted:
"FIRST
๐ THE DEEP WATER KINGS -- ORCA!"
Blue lights flooded the court like ocean waves.
Then players ran out.
Strong. Broad-shouldered. Serious faces.
Behind them walked their calm but firm leader.
Head Coach: Shen.
A man known for discipline and structure. No theatrics. Just results.
"Starting Five!" the announcer continued.
Joseph M. โ the steady point guard
Larry โ defensive specialist
Roy T. โ slashing forward
Travilla โ ace player, explosive scorer
Lawrence โ powerful center
Travilla raised one hand to the crowd. Fans cheered loudly โ he was one of the most exciting players in the league.
Coach Shen placed a hand on Travilla's shoulder as they lined up.
"Stay focused," he whispered. "The season is long. This is just the beginning."
The Orcas stood proud at the sideline, watching the stage.
But they had no idea what kind of storm was coming later.
Then lights turned dark crimson.
A heavy rock anthem filled the arena.
Their muse walked out in black and gold, fierce and proud.
"NOW ENTERING
๐ฅ THE BURNING SPIDERS!"
Players marched out like soldiers.
New Head Coach: Arturo Reyes
A defensive genius with a reputation for grinding teams down.
Ace Player: Stevern and Marco Vale.
"Starting Five!"
Rico - guard
Stevern - ready scorer/defender
Marco Vale - steady shooter
Leo - forward
Rosario - fearless Center
Marco clenched his fist toward the crowd.
Burning Spiders had no flashy style.
But nobody wanted to play against them.
Then a red and silver lights flashed.
The beat turned aggressive.
Their muse appeared in a jacket of metallic lightning patterns.
"PLEASE WELCOME
โ ๐ช THE METALLIC BULLDOGS
The players burst out with smiles and swagger.
Head Coach: Larry Cruz
Fast-paced offense, creative plays.
Ace Players: Ricky and Roy - twin towers.
"Starting Five!"
Darren -high IQ point guard
Migs - SG
Joseph - SF
Roy - great rebounder/scorer
Ricky - great shot blocker/scorer
They waved to fans, already feeding off the energy.
Coach Cruz nodded proudly, "This season, nobody will bully us!"
Then a wind sound effects filled the arena.
Blue-white lights swirled across the floor.
Their muse spun gracefully, feathers stitched into her costume.
"PLEASE WELCOME
-- โก THE LIGTHNING VOLTURES!"
The crowd roared again as the players sprinted out, hyped and loud.
Head Coach: B. Solomon.
Known for fiery speeches and bold tactics.
Solomon pumped his fist as the crowd responded.
"Starting Five!"
Sammy โ fast break king
Jose โ lockdown defender
Shioti โ ace player, deadly shooter
Pagunsanโ ace player, inside scorer/shot block king
Venturina โ big man with soft hands
Pagunsan and Shioti slapped hands in the air.
They were known as the league's most dangerous backcourt duo.
Solomon shouted, "We fly super fast this year!"
The LIGHTNING VOLTURES bench pounded their chests, full of confidence.
Then a deep bass shook the arena.
Their muse walked out with armor-inspired attire.
"NOW ENTERING
๐ก THE TITANS!"
Massive players followed.
Head Coach: Ramon Ibarra.
Old-school, physical basketball.
Ace Players: Benjie and Vone
"Starting Five!"
Charlie - Veteran PG
Benjie - Team Captain
Alexander - SF
Vone - PF / Inside Scorer
Roa - C
The Titans didn't hype the crowd.
They just stared ahead, stone-faced.
A team built for war.
Then volcanic flames with smokes shot up from the stage.
Their muse raised a blazing red flag.
"NOW WELCOMING
๐ THE FEARLESS PHOENIX!"
Head Coach: Genesis Barrera.
Passionate and unpredictable.
Ace Player: Renzo and Anthony
"Starting Five!"
Nalren - PG
Renzo -Team Captain
Anthony - Flashy Scorer
Paulo - PF
Gerald - C
Bench Players:
Charity - PF/C
Bucol - SG
Zen - PF/SF
Gies - PG
Mercedez - SF
Francis - C
Esmi - SF/SG
They bounced with excitement.
Then lights shifted to deep brown and gold.
A heartbeat sound echoed.
Then came the pounding of hooves through the speakers.
"PLEASE WELCOME...
๐ฆฌ THE RAGING BUFFALO!"
The crowd erupted.
This was the team everyone was suddenly talking about.
Not champions.
Not favorites.
But dangerous.
Their muse entered wearing fierce, tribal-inspired designs โ strong, grounded, proud.
The players ran out together, united, eyes burning with purpose.
Head Coach: Ed.
No shouting. No grand gestures.
Just calm confidence.
Buffalo Fans screamed Elias' name even before the lineup was announced.
Ace Player - Elias Moreno
"Starting Five!"
Tony โ center, wall of strength
Santino โ forward, relentless energy
Elias Moreno โ SF/SG, leader on the floor
AJ โ quick guard
Victor โ team captain
Bench Players:
Nico - PF
John paul - PG
Cholo - SG
Raymond - PF
Aaron - C
Justine - SF/PF
Ron - C
Elias raised a single hand to the crowd.
Not smiling.
Focused.
He looked down the courtโฆ and his eyes briefly landed on the Komodo bench area.
Still empty.
Victor leaned close. "Whatever happens tonightโฆ we're ready."
Elias nodded. "We stay together."
Coach Ed watched them with quiet pride.
This wasn't the same Buffalo team anymore.
Then the arena lights suddenly went black.
Silence.
Thenโฆ
A slow, heavy drumbeat.
Green lasers cut across the darkness.
Smoke poured from the entrance tunnel.
A dragon's roar thundered through the speakers.
The crowd rose to their feet.
"AND NOWโฆ
THE TWO-TIME DEFENDING CHAMPIONSโฆ
and now going for the FIRST EVER
NATIONAL OPEN BASKETBALL LEAGUE GRANDSLAM!"
The doors exploded open.
๐ฒ "THE KOMODO DRAGONS!"
Their muse emerged in emerald and black, powerful and commanding.
Then the players walked out.
Slow.
Confident.
Unshaken.
Every step said: We own this floor.
Behind themโฆ
Two familiar faces.
Head Coach: Williams.
And beside himโฆ
Assistant Coach: Fran.
Gasps echoed across the arena.
Buffalo players froze.
And thenโฆ
The announcer dropped the final bomb.
"Ace Playersโฆ
Last season MVP... GEORGE!
And FINALLY the new addition to their rosterโฆ the deadly shooter... JOHN CRUZ!"
John Cruz stepped forward.
Wearing green.
The same John who once wore Buffalo colors.
Eyes cold.
Jaw set.
"Starting Five!"
Jimmy โ towering center
Edmar โ defensive guard
George โ league MVP/Team Captain
John Cruz โ deadly shooter
Misajon โ versatile forward/C
Bench Players:
Umali -C
Eugene - PG
Legaspi - PG/SG
Lumaoig - PF
De Jesus -SF
Olsen - PF/SF
Zaldua - SGยฐ injuired
George raised both arms.
The Komodo fans went wild.
Cameras zoomed in on the Buffalo bench.
But across the court, Buffalo stood in silence.
Victor stood up.
"What the hellโฆ?"
Tony slammed his towel onto the floor.
"That's dirty. That's real dirty."
Santino whispered, "So that's their surprise."
Elias didn't blink.
But inside his chest, something heavy settled.
The pastโฆ had just lined up against them.
Coach Ed clenched his jaw.
"This league just got dangerous," he muttered.
And on the other side of the court, Coach Williams looked straight at the Buffalo bench.
Not smiling.
Not taunting.
Just measuring.
He watched quietly, knowing exactly what this moment meant.
Psychological warfare.
And it had already begun.
THE LEAGUE HOLDS ITS BREATH
Ten teams.
One court.
Thousands of fans.
Millions watching online.
Rivalries reborn.
New grudges forming.
Old wounds reopened.
The commissioner stepped forward.
"Let the battles begin."
Confetti burst.
Music surged.
And every team knewโฆ
This season would not be easy.
This season would not be kind.
This season would be remembered.