Learnings from the previous years

Another year is coming to a close. For this writer, December 2002 caps four years of discovery in the sporting world. And I realize that more than the discipline, teamwork, cooperation and all the other values it can instill, sports can indeed teach us sad facts about life.

1. While sport teaches cooperation, not everyone will be willing to cooperate.

Four years ago, I was the youngest and newest sportscaster to have been included in the Vintage coverage team for the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok. Imagine the tremendous excitement and fear I felt as I went alongside premier sportscasters whom all of a sudden became colleagues. There was pressure on my part to prove myself worthy of a slot in the team.

I approached the head writer, knowing that he had a lot of experience in covering international sporting events. I wanted to get feedback on how I was doing; as well as ask for tips on how I could improve. To my surprise, he shot back at me saying, "You won’t be able to do it (analyze/annotate) unless you’re an Olympian." Naïve as I was, I pressed on and asked for at least pointers to guide me by. Of course I knew I had much to learn! That’s why I was asking for tips, right? But what did he reply? "Unless you’re (name of a former Olympian), there really won’t be anything you can do."

Well, rude awakening for me right there. I didn‚t expect people to be that impolite. But, that‚s life. I guess people like that are everywhere. You just have to learn to deal with it. How foolish of me to have thought that everyone will be willing to help? Pat Riley was right when he said "You can have anything you want in this whole world but no one will give it to you."

2. While sport teaches teamwork for a common good, some people would much rather work for goods than common good.

Four years after my traumatic experience in the Bangkok Games, I went to the Busan thinking that I’ve learned and that I was ready. I went with Auty Villarama, Sports Marketing Manager of Nike. They commissioned me to chronicle the performance of the Nike athletes. Once there though, I didn’t get any media accreditation. The person who was supposed to help was quoted saying, "Marami nang utang ang Nike sa akin."

3. While sports give importance to values, some people focus on things of value.

While in Busan, Nike Hospitality Suite became popular to the Filipino delegation only after it was found out that visitors who dropped by could get Nike give away bags filled with Nike cap, shirt, and the sleek Nike runner’s watch! While the popular adage goes- The best things in life are free, I found out that freebies are the best things in life. And freeloading is something Filipinos excel at.

4. Sports teach perseverance and determination and some people pick it up.

Take it from Jeffrey Cariaso. While in Busan, he was one of only four players who worked out regularly in the gym even after practice hours. It’s no wonder why he soared to greater heights in the just concluded 2002 Selecta-PBA All-Filipino Cup!

Congratulations to him and to the rest of the Coca-Cola Tigers! The determination they showed was admirable. Beating the experienced San Miguel Beermen in the semis could have been enough feat. But they simply refused to lose to the Alaska Aces. And their perseverance took them all the way to the crown!

5. Sports teach the value of hard work and some people seem to have mastered the art.

Congratulations to outgoing Commissioner Jun Bernardino for a good job! And welcome to the incoming Commissioner Noli Eala!

I remember bumping into Noli the first time at Patis Tesoro’s shop in Wilson, San Juan. I was there to fit the Filipiniana dress that I was supposed to wear for the coverage of the 1998 Philippine Centennial Celebration. I was part of the broadcast pool, representing IBC News. Noli was sent as representative of Vintage TV. I didn’t know I just bumped into the future PBA commissioner. You have certainly gone a long way. More power to you!

Finally, I believe 15 years or so of service to the PBA coverage is no joke. A pat in the back for the hardworking crew of Viva-Vintage Sports! From the cameramen, to the cable men, sound technician, graphics artists, editors, microwave technicians, to the producers, writers, production assistants . . . Thank you! We all benefited from a job well done.

The coming year may look bleak to all of us. But let us rest assured that we gave our all and in the end that’s how we’re going to be judged. And that’s what counts!

As for me, I am content knowing that I picked up a lot in the previous years. It’s not all good. But that’s the sporting world for you. And surely there are still more good than sad. People stay because they love the game. And that’s probably the best thing I’ve learned in the past four years. . . PASSION IS EVERYTHING!

Happy New Year to everyone! Be safe!