I STARTED out as a boxing writer, though whatever passion I have when it comes to watching the fight game can be matched by my fervor in watching and playing the sport of basketball.
I will never forget what Philippine Star sports editor Lito Tacujan once told me, and that is to cover as many sports as I can and not to focus exclusively as a boxing writer.
It was something that I really took to heart and saw the importance of it when it comes to my growth as a sportswriter and broadcaster.
Through the years, I was able to find time covering triathlon, football, baseball, athletics and sepak takraw, to name a few.
I have to admit, boxing remains to be a sport where I am adept at together with basketball.
And almost exclusively, I get invites to appear in sports shows where Manny Pacquiao and his fights are talked about.
Despite the “glamor” that comes along covering boxing nowadays, I still make it a point to cover other sports.
Actually, I spend more time, about 70% of it, covering the PBA.
Just last weekend, I have added the UAAP basketball tournament to my schedule.
In watching the exciting double-header last Saturday, it dawned upon me that I have been remiss when it comes to covering the PBA.
To get a grip of the PBA development, one must cover collegiate leagues like the UAAP.
After all, players over there as well as the NCAA are the future stars of the pro league.
And covering the games means you have to update yourself not only about marquee games or players.
It is not enough that one write about the much-hyped Ateneo-La Salle game, or when University of the Philippines will score another win or feature promising players like Hubert Cani, Jerie Pingoy and Andrei Caracut.
In that Adamson versus UST game won by the Growling Tigers, I had so much fun watching how Falcons JD Tungkab at Noel Capote played.
The two are seldom talked about, but my gut feeling tells me Tungkab and Capote can be of help in making Adamson a tough team to play against.
Too bad Capote is good for only one season, while Tungkab is only in his rookie season and has time on his side in terms of developing his skills.
I expect to see more talents in the coming games which I hope I could share to you soon.
PBA TUNEUPS. A few more PBA teams are now slowly getting into a groove months after most of its players got their needed breaks.
The NLEX Road Warriors for one have started their practice weeks ago and were set to play a tuneup game last Friday versus the Qatar National team at the West Greenhills gym.
The game, however, was stopped late in the first quarter after one Qatari player became too physical, forcing the Road Warriors to call off the match.
Crowd-favorite Brgy. Ginebra was also back in the gym two weeks ago and is set to play the Lebanon national squad next week.
GlobalPort Batang Pier and Mahindra Enforcers are now in General Santos City, where they are competing in a five-team pocket tournament organized by Filipino boxing sensation and the Enforcers’ acknowledged playing-coach Manny Pacquiao.
Rain or Shine, meantime, played the Adelaide 36ers yesterday in Darwin, Australia.