The courtside experience from the point of view of a bibliophile: Geek goes to the games

MANILA, Philippines - To say that I wasn’t much into sports growing up is like saying that water is kind of wet. With my nose stuck in a book 90 percent of my childhood, I had no idea there was such a thing as a courtside reporter until college. Even now, the best way I can describe what I saw and learned in my two years as Ateneo’s reporter is that the world of college basketball is like a medieval realm on steroids: imagine eight great kingdoms each consisting of its own royalty, nobility and citizenry, all under the rule of the UAAP Board. It’s a world with its own laws, politics, characters and plot twists.

Let me, right away, dissuade anyone who thinks otherwise: reporting courtside is not easy. As something of a royal chronicler, a reporter has to portray her (or his) team in the right light without revealing too many of their secrets. Saying too much could mean exile from the team’s circle of trust, making it impossible for her to report anything of quality in the future. Saying too little could mean falling short of the standards of the broadcast, which could earn her the displeasure of those who run the show. Both paths have the headsman’s axe waiting at the end.

Perks of the job: Jessica Mendoza’s has gone on to become a cover girl for a slew of teen publications.

But the reporter must also face the judgment of the madding crowd, whose passion for the game and the league make them extremely critical of new faces. Unafraid to take to the Internet, they say exactly what they think, regardless of what anyone — least of all the reporter herself — may feel. It’s therefore vital that she learns to welcome constructive criticism and harden her heart against the destructive kind. 

Another ability the courtside reporter must hone is prioritizing. Two games a week may not sound like much, but thinking on one’s feet for two hours straight while smiling for the camera doesn’t leave anyone with much energy afterwards to study for an exam or write a paper. 

Her basketball knowledge is also put to the test. This is obvious, but for someone who grew up feeling more at home in Middle Earth than on a basketball court, becoming a credible source for the sport meant I had to prove, in every single report, that I could speak decent ball (that’s 112 reports in two years, not counting Final Four and Finals).

Of course, all this work doesn’t come unrewarded. There’s a salary and there are freebies, though much more valuable to the college reporter is the experience itself. She’ll meet people from whom she can learn a great deal if she’s willing to listen. And if she works hard enough, she can develop a skill set useful to a solid career in media: diplomacy, quick thinking, and on-cam confidence at levels beyond what’s usually achieved at that age.

Having said all that, I personally fell in love with my position as reporter when I realized college basketball is every bit as exciting, intense and unpredictable as any medieval battle in my favorite novels, and much more passionate. Difficult and complicated as my task had been, the vantage point was spectacular, and worth having to overcome every challenge thrown my way. This particular book lover has since gained great respect for everyone involved in sports and discovered new interests along the way.

And now that it’s all over, I’m absolutely excited to see others experience the ups and downs, the stresses and thrills, and ultimately, the honor of being courtside reporter from a seat in the crowd. It’s been a privilege to serve.