Although the Falcons won Game 1, Jeremy was not elated. He became more worried because of what they have achieved. If there is one thing that this victory has cost him, he became one step closer to having his loved ones hurt by the mafia.

This bothered him throughout their practice for Game 2, resulting in a loss.

“I’m sorry coach. I did my best to carry the team, but we still lost,” Jeremy remarked

“Do not worry about it Jeremy. The series is tied. We still have a chance to win the Larry Boheim trophy,” his coach replied

To ease his anxiety, the coach brought Jeremy to a secret place where he used to go whenever he felt the same way when he was still a player in college. It is a secluded place by the mountains overlooking the city of Chicago.

Jeremy sat on a boulder hanging on the edge of the cliff. Staring at the sunset he reminisced all the happy days he spent with his family, those days when everything was peaceful. No concerns about basketball cropping up. It was a life he would not exchange for anything else.

It was almost night time when they decided to go home. The ride was so quiet. The two of them were not talking. Both are deep in thought.

The next day practice continued inside the New York College gym. Both teams were given an hour each to train in preparation for Game 3.

Game 3 went the same way as Game 1 did. It ended with a Falcons victory. This time they defeated the Boars handily to the score of 109 - 84. The win angered Coach Tim. He can’t believe that a so-so team from Illinois would give him a difficult time. He has to do something to ensure his victory in the next games and eventually hand him the championship trophy.

Both the Falcons and Boars were given a short rest period. They were allowed to travel home to their families and friends. This gave Coach Tim the much- needed opportunity to contact someone.

“Hello, boss, I need to see you today.”

“Sure. You know where to see me. I will be waiting.”

Tim met with the mafia boss to ask him to pressure Jeremy into selling the championship to him. He was behind the initial meeting of the mafia with Jeremy. He thought everything was sealed when the series started, but it seems the ace player has already forgotten about the agreement. He needs to be reminded of his part of the contract once again.

“Screech… screech!”

Two SUVs stopped the car of Jeremy on its tracks. Several armed men emerged from the vehicle and pointed their guns at Jeremy.

One of them approached him and asked Jeremy to walk towards one of the SUVs.

“Jeremy… Mr. Jeremy. How are you?”

Jeremy just stood there without saying anything.

“You seem to have forgotten about our agreement.”

Still, his lips remained sealed. Not a single word came out of his mouth.

“You have to do your part of the contract or your loved ones will suffer the consequences.”

The mafia boss instructed his men to escort Jeremy back to his Mustang.

“Remember what I said Mr. Jeremy… hahaha!”

Both SUVs left Jeremy alone by the highway. He was left thinking about what to do next.

Game 4 went the same route as the previous three games. The series is still tied at 2 – 2.

Game 5 would be the deciding game of the series. Whoever wins it will also get the coveted trophy.

To secure his family, Jeremy brought them to their hometown in Texas. This way they would be out of reach from the mafia. He doesn’t intend to follow what the mob wishes him to do. He knows that this would jeopardize his career as a basketball player and his chances of getting into the professional league as well.

He reported the incident to the Intelligence Bureau and they assigned some personnel to safeguard his family.

The day for the penultimate game arrives. Jeremy and his team are ready. Coach Tim thought the mafia had done their part and is confident that he will win Game 5.

“Booommmppp!”

The buzzer sounds and Game 5 is on its way…

The first half was a see-saw affair. The half had 14 lead changes. By the break both teams were tied at 34 – 34.

“We’ve got these Falcons. All we need to execute is our defensive strategy that has given as our previous victories,” Coach Chris told his players.

“Yeah! Let’s all give it our best. There is no tomorrow,” Jeremy exclaimed

“All hands on deck, on three Falcons!”

“One… two… three. Falcons!”

They all emerged from the dugout with intensity in their eyes. The third quarter began with a tenacious stance employed by the Falcons which gave them several fast breaks, resulting in a 15-point lead.

Coach Tim calls a time out to stop the rally. For the first time he felt nervous, realizing that he could lose this game and the championship.

His boys went on a 12 – 0 run to close the gap to within 3 points. All they need now is a three-point basket to tie the game.

On the ensuing play, their shooter was given a hard screen that took two of Jeremy’s teammates down and which consequently freed him. He aim and took the shot. But out of nowhere, Jeremy came out flying to block the shot. The quarter ended with the Falcons still leading by three.

The 4th Quarter began with the Falcons still ahead, but a couple of steals and baskets by the Boars gave them a 1-point lead.

Coach Chris calls time. He instructed his team to implement play 5 which is anchored on Jeremy.

On the ensuing play, Reggie passes the ball to Jeremy. Using a double screen by two of his teammates, he tried to maneuver for a shot, but his guard followed him tightly. He had no choice but to pass the ball back to George for a low post-move. George takes his shot. It hits the rim of the basket and a rebound scramble followed. Jeremy got the ball and dribbles out of trouble. The shot clock was reset to 14 seconds after he grabbed the rebound. Recycling the offense, he passed the ball back to Reggie. He cuts towards the basket and positions himself on the left wing beyond the three-point arc. He tries to take a shot but, was once again stopped by his guard. George sees this and rushes to give him a screen. With just a glimpse at the basket, Jeremy took the shot. Time expires and the Falcons win!

Their crowd of supporters rushed into the court. They celebrated their first-ever championship!

All of the players gathered around Jeremy and carried him on their shoulders. For a moment, the team forgot about the threat of the mafia. They were elated about their victory.

One month later…

It is summertime. Most of his teammates went on vacation. There was no practice during the summer break because the coach wants them to have an R & R after they have achieved their first-ever championship. Only Jeremy and Reggie were together that summer. Reggie happens to be his high school buddy since they were juniors. They were drafted by the Illinois Falcons in the same year.

Jeremy and Reggie decided to play street ball that day. They were bored playing online games for days now. As usual, they won the games they played. So far they have amassed enough money so they could go out that night and paint the town red.

But something tragic is bound to happen. On their last two on two-game, Reggie was driving towards the basket when Jeremy hears gunfire. And as he turned his head, he saw his teammate and buddy lying on the court bloodied and dead. Yes his friend was killed by that gunshot!

Not knowing what to do, he rushed to his side to try and wake him up. But to no avail, his buddy is gone.

Police arrived on the scene. An investigation ensued to find the culprit.

Jeremy left their hometown to stay in a secret facility for his protection. He is the prime witness to what just occurred and the police are doing their part to protect him.

After months of investigation, the police found the gunman. He admitted that he was sent by the mafia. This got Jeremy scared. Memories came back to him and he knew that the mafia had not forgotten either. They are making him pay for not honoring their contract.