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| L to R: Me with my Lolo Pedy, Me getting ready to go on air for a report |
It’s a Sunday. I’ve sacrificed my weekend sleep in for three things: coffee, commentary, and Curry.
Yes, Curry with a capital C. The Golden State Warriors are battling it against the Cleveland
Cavaliers and my grandfather has just come home from his usual morning jog just in time for
the action. I wait for him to settle into the couch while I prepare our bacon and bread breakfasts.
We put our feet up on the table and put NBA Premium TV on in full blast. I take my first sip of
coffee and widen my eyes at the killer three by Thompson, and my grandfather chuckles with awe.
Cavaliers and my grandfather has just come home from his usual morning jog just in time for
the action. I wait for him to settle into the couch while I prepare our bacon and bread breakfasts.
We put our feet up on the table and put NBA Premium TV on in full blast. I take my first sip of
coffee and widen my eyes at the killer three by Thompson, and my grandfather chuckles with awe.
9am mornings have never been this good.
This is how my courtside reporting journey began. While some excelled in actually playing it out in
the field and eventually moving in to the world of sports broadcasting, I started from watching
basketball with my lolo on lazy days paired with a meal. But it was never just the orange Spalding
ball, though. Thanks to him, I understood the basics of tennis, golf, horse racing, and even
competitive cock fights (Saan taya mo, sa Meron o Wala?) at as early as six years old. Names like
Federer and terms like “triple double” became staples in dinner conversations. Soon enough, I
was engrossed in every game my grandfather watched, and day by day questions led to
commentary and commentary led, to well, a passion. Out of all the sports we bounced off from
channel to channel, basketball became my true love. And thus, my to-be-the-next-Mara-Aquino
dream was born. So when an opportunity presented itself, I jumped in head first. Equipped with my
knowledge of the hoops, along with my knack for writing and experience as a radio Student Jock,
I auditioned for the NCAA courtside reporter hunt. After a tough couple of callback rounds, and
a million sweaty forehead prayers later, I finally got to call myself a part of the ABS-CBN sports
broadcast crew for Season 94 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines.
In the past year, I have been able to talk to the biggest names in the basketball community—from
college level’s best up to the PBA’s greatest. Every interview, every encounter, and every coverage
was a surreal experience. Never did I think that I would get to talk to Ginebra’s gem, Scottie
Thompson about his college team's performance in the opening game of the season. Heck, never
did I imagine being able to report alongside the Ironman himself, LA Tenorio! When I was bumping
my toes on furniture feet while desperately trying to reach for the TV to catch a game, I was now
rubbing shoulders with the basketball community’s finest. It was an absolute privilege, a privilege
I would have never gotten with my granddad. Who would have thought all those years of hearing
game stats and player comparisons in potluck family parties would turn into the perfect primer for
my first real job? And more importantly, the gateway to what I wanted to in my life. In a way, I feel
like I’ve given back to my lolo through my courtsiding duties. Every time I come home after a
day’s work, he greets me with “Aya! I saw you on TV! Hanep!” followed by a thorough analysis
of the game via conversation. I guess nothing feels more rewarding than being able to talk to him
about plays and see in his eyes just how proud he is to have his apo working for a program he’s
watched for years.
the field and eventually moving in to the world of sports broadcasting, I started from watching
basketball with my lolo on lazy days paired with a meal. But it was never just the orange Spalding
ball, though. Thanks to him, I understood the basics of tennis, golf, horse racing, and even
competitive cock fights (Saan taya mo, sa Meron o Wala?) at as early as six years old. Names like
Federer and terms like “triple double” became staples in dinner conversations. Soon enough, I
was engrossed in every game my grandfather watched, and day by day questions led to
commentary and commentary led, to well, a passion. Out of all the sports we bounced off from
channel to channel, basketball became my true love. And thus, my to-be-the-next-Mara-Aquino
dream was born. So when an opportunity presented itself, I jumped in head first. Equipped with my
knowledge of the hoops, along with my knack for writing and experience as a radio Student Jock,
I auditioned for the NCAA courtside reporter hunt. After a tough couple of callback rounds, and
a million sweaty forehead prayers later, I finally got to call myself a part of the ABS-CBN sports
broadcast crew for Season 94 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines.
In the past year, I have been able to talk to the biggest names in the basketball community—from
college level’s best up to the PBA’s greatest. Every interview, every encounter, and every coverage
was a surreal experience. Never did I think that I would get to talk to Ginebra’s gem, Scottie
Thompson about his college team's performance in the opening game of the season. Heck, never
did I imagine being able to report alongside the Ironman himself, LA Tenorio! When I was bumping
my toes on furniture feet while desperately trying to reach for the TV to catch a game, I was now
rubbing shoulders with the basketball community’s finest. It was an absolute privilege, a privilege
I would have never gotten with my granddad. Who would have thought all those years of hearing
game stats and player comparisons in potluck family parties would turn into the perfect primer for
my first real job? And more importantly, the gateway to what I wanted to in my life. In a way, I feel
like I’ve given back to my lolo through my courtsiding duties. Every time I come home after a
day’s work, he greets me with “Aya! I saw you on TV! Hanep!” followed by a thorough analysis
of the game via conversation. I guess nothing feels more rewarding than being able to talk to him
about plays and see in his eyes just how proud he is to have his apo working for a program he’s
watched for years.
Recap of reports for Letran VS Lyceum Second Round
of Games
 |
(Me with CNN reporter and sports announcer
Andrei Felix and PBA veteran LA Tenorio)
|
For me though, not only do I owe him the interest and grasp on basketball, but because of him,
I was able to find my place in the world. I managed to take everything I had to the next level: radio
and writing to broadcast TV thanks to his love for the NBA and fascination with Sharapova.
No-choice channels actually led me to where I am today. So the next time one of your
family members calls dibs on an upcoming Arellano volleyball game or the Australian Open finals
on the telly, give it a shot and watch it. You might just find something more than entertainment
in those 2 hours. I did, and it was all well worth it.
I was able to find my place in the world. I managed to take everything I had to the next level: radio
and writing to broadcast TV thanks to his love for the NBA and fascination with Sharapova.
No-choice channels actually led me to where I am today. So the next time one of your
family members calls dibs on an upcoming Arellano volleyball game or the Australian Open finals
on the telly, give it a shot and watch it. You might just find something more than entertainment
in those 2 hours. I did, and it was all well worth it.
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