Maruja, Svelte, and the New Rivalry

Svelte and I have been brewing a rivalry between us for the past days. We just do not agree on one thing and it is starting to affect our friendship in a way.

It started last Monday, we went out on our office break. After indulging on some rather expensive (but uber yummy) pasta and one-of-a-kind mint chocolate chip ice cream, we passed by a convenience store near our office building.

And then I saw it, a feast to our hungry eyes.

It’s the new UAAP issue of Chalk Magazine. College basketball has begun and everyone goes bonkers in this side of the Third World, especially that De La Salle Green Archers are back after last season’s suspension.

Deadma if the magazine’s layout became a poor man’s Harper’s Bazaar. Deadma if the magazine included that “other” collegiate league. Deadma if we kinda not looking forward for Santo Tomas Growling Tiger’s defense of our basketball championship. What really caught our attention was the “main” cover, featuring the age-old rivalry of Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles and La Salle on a different plane. That is, their latest hottie players.

Come on, if you see this cover wouldn’t you buy it as well?

“Hingang malalim (breathe deeply),” I teased Svelte before opening the mag.

You need to breathe deeply, too, before jumping. *Inhale, Exhale* Okay…

The mag’s main feature is about two of UAAP’s hottest damn-good new players from Ateneo and La Salle. It was here when my disagreement with Svelte started, as we prefer one cutie over another.

I unfurled my imaginary long hair and waved my jazzy hands.

“Simon Atkins, I choose you!”

Technically he’s a sophomore, but this season is Simon Atkin’s first year to play in the college league after La Salle’s suspension last season. He is a true-blue La Sallian (oh sorry, it’s “true-green”…what was I thinking?), having played in the junior basketball league as point guard for De La Salle Zobel, became high school MVP, and remained loyal to the alma mater upon college.

He is currently single, but he’s not looking for a relationship anytime soon as he is determined to win the title.

I easily fall to the floor for the “bad boys.” I would have this urge to tame a man’s heart and put him into place. So it’s not surprising that Simon catches my fancy. I swear to the gay gods that I got the kilig-to-the-high-school-bones feeling.

Not to be outdone, Svelte licked her fingers and gave her nipples a quick rub.

“Kirk Long, I choose you!”

Kirk Long was scouted by Ateneo from his stints back in Faith Academy (an international school located in Antipolo). People who have seen him play claimed that he is a “one-man wrecking machine,” being a natural long-range shooter and he is also a high school MVP. Although he has American lineage, Kirk grew up in the Philippines. At 6′ 3″, he is being converted into a tall point guard that The Ateneo badly needs.

He is also single, and is excited to play in the collegiate games for the first time.

Svelte goes for the clean-cut guys, but what really got her heart palpitate is this mysterious air that Kirk emanates. Not to mention those deep, piercing eyes, and they’re blue for crying out loud!

Now Svelte and I disagree over which one is cuter and hotter. Yup, that’s our petty college rivalry.

Come on, you’d end up in an argument if you were in our shoes!

So whom will you side with? Ateneo Blue Eagles or La Salle Green Archers? The clean, and mysterious Kirk or the rough and rugged Simon?