I didn't sleep the night before the draw.
Every outcome spun through my head—formations, lineups, fatigue rotations. I wasn't scared. Just… sharp. Like my brain was running warm, waiting for the signal.
The draw streamed live at 9 a.m. sharp.
We gathered in the AV room. Projector flickering. Aircon humming. Maria filming reactions.
The bracket rotated slowly.
Teams appeared.
One by one.
Then it stopped.
Semifinal Matchup Confirmed
Campus Phoenix FC vs San Marcelino Institute
Other Match:
Cavite Forge vs Sta. Clara Northside
A pause fell over the room.
San Marcelino.
The private school powerhouse. All white kits. All flair. Their striker was on a Nike trial list last summer. Their coach? Ex-pro. Minimal expression. Maximum results.
"Could've been Forge," Zay whispered. "We dodged the devil."
"Or just met his cousin," Ravi muttered.
Ana crossed her arms. "Marcelino plays open, but they're surgical. If we give them space, they carve."
System Update: Semifinal Objective Activated
Opponent: San Marcelino Institute
Known Traits:
– High Possession Play
– False 9 Formation
– Weakness: Transition Defense
Bonus Objective: Score Within First 10 Minutes
Reward: Trait Sync – Tactician + Unified Voice ➝ "Command Pulse" (Tier 1)
Hidden Trigger: Forge Win = Rivalry Final Potential
We trained at dusk. No lights. Just silhouettes and sweat.
Coach Erwin set up mirrors of their shape—let us feel their press, learn the patterns. Every drill was mental.
Ana called it "battle math."
Matchday. Windless. Dry court. Packed stands.
Even teachers showed up.
Bryce walked out in full silence, nodding once to me. Isko rubbed the Phoenix crest. Maria stood on the bleachers with both cameras rolling.
We were ready.
And still—they struck first.
Minute 6 – Goal: San Marcelino
One fake wide. One underlap. Slotted near post.
0–1.
Shock. Not panic—but it buzzed around us like static.
We regrouped. I triggered Unified Voice.
"We don't chase. We build. One. Touch. Rhythm."
It clicked.
Minute 9 — Ravi took control. Two passes, wide to Ana. She one-touched back inside. I stepped in, ghosting past their pivot.
Through ball to Zay.
Slide finish.
GOAL: 1–1
Bonus Unlocked: Scored Within 10 Minutes
Trait Sync Initiated ➝
Command Pulse (Tier 1):
➤ Once Per Match: Reset Team Shape, Boost Morale, Boost Passing Precision for 3 Minutes
I felt the shift in the team.
Less panic. More purpose.
We weren't reacting anymore.
We were composing.
Second Half
They adjusted. Slowed tempo. Pressed less. Waited for our mistake.
It didn't come.
Minute 42 — Isko intercepted a square pass. One-two with Ana. Long ball floated to Zay.
This time, he didn't shoot.
He cut back.
I was there.
I hit it first time.
GOAL: 2–1
The crowd erupted.
But the match wasn't over.
Marcelino pushed.
Crossbar in the 48th.
Corner in the 50th.
Last play—free kick from 23 meters.
Their #10 curled it—
Bryce. Full stretch. Fingertips.
Saved.
Whistle.
FULL TIME
Campus Phoenix FC Advances to the Final
Match Stats:
Possession – 47%
Shots on Target – 6
Pass Completion – 82%
MVP: James (1G, 1A, 92% Pass Accuracy)
Trait Progress: Command Pulse – Tier 1 Stable
Team Morale: Full
Local Buzz: #PhoenixToFinal trending in Metro
Maria's Post: 78k Views in 12 Hours
Coach Mateo Text: "You're not a surprise anymore. You're the standard."
After the match, we sat in a circle at the edge of the court.
No music. Just breathing.
Ana spoke first.
"They didn't just lose," she said. "They got outplayed."
Zay grinned. "And now?"
Ravi looked up. "Now we meet the final boss."
System Alert: Final Match Confirmed
Campus Phoenix FC vs Cavite Forge (Rematch)
Match Venue: Rizal Memorial Youth Grounds
Broadcast Tier: Regional Live Stream
Stakes:
– Title
– Sponsorship Deals
– Academy Contracts
Rivalry Arc Activated: "Rise of the Underdogs"
Next Chapter: Finale I – Fire Meets Steel
We stood together, facing the empty stands.
From whispers to headlines.
From mango tree to the biggest stage we'd ever known.
The final wasn't just about winning anymore.
It was about proving that what we'd built wasn't a fluke.
It was a blueprint.
And Forge?
They were the last myth to burn.