INQUIRER Sports

ONE OF THE THRILLS of our work in sports is getting a foreign assignment for a major event and seeing idols in the flesh.

Covering Filipino athletes is always a joy, but sometimes there’s an assignment like the Macau Grand Prix, Wimbledon or the soccer World Cup where there is no Philippine participation. These jobs don’t happen very often, so you value each one as a learning experience.

Colleague Mico Halili was in the United States with Andy Jao for the NBA Finals TV coverage on C/S 9. He e-mailed this delightful piece from Orlando about coming to terms with the NBA Finals as being all in a day’s work:

“While walking along the cavernous hallways of the Amway Arena during Media Availability Day on the eve of Game 4, I can’t help but capture mental snapshots of the NBA Finals media madness.

“It’s bizarre to be walking alongside (while making sure I don’t get accidentally trampled on) NBA megastars from the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic. Strangely, though, I don’t get awestruck.

“Perhaps, there is simply no time to process the moment. At one point, you aim your voice recorder at Lamar Odom. In a minute or so, you join a gathering around Derek Fisher.

“‘Myself and Kobe as the captains, we just stay focused on the things we can control,’ says Fisher, who unknowingly provided a forewarning of events in Game 4, shares with us. ‘There’s always an opportunity, especially at this level to come back and put together a better effort than you had the last time.’

“Afterwards, I approach backup shooting guard JJ Redick. The former Duke Blue Devil sits by his lonesome in a courtside seat and looks as comfortable as a wallflower eager to leave the high school prom.

“I ask him about his unpredictable playing time in Stan Van Gundy’s system.

“‘It’s frustrating but I’m used to it now,’ Redick, who went on to score 6 points in 17 minutes in Game 4 after sitting out Game 3, says. ‘My playing time all season has just been random. I started eight straight games in a row in the playoffs and then I didn’t play in the Cleveland series. I’m used to it now. I just roll with it and try to be as ready as possible when my name is called.’

“An NBA representative urges the media to leave the court and allow the Orlando Magic to officially begin practice. Everyone complies.

“I stop my march towards the exit gate when I see Kobe Bryant sharing gossip and strategy with ABC/ESPN Analyst Jeff Van Gundy. NBA TV’s Ahmad Rashad stands beside me. Seconds later, ABC/ESPN Anchorman Mike Breen, widely regarded as the next great American sports commentator, pops out of a room with notes in hand.

“Van Gundy and Breen, both in short-sleeved shirts, khaki shorts and running shoes, are taping for the next day’s broadcast.

“I now realize why there’s no time and even place for stargazing on Media Day. Everyone’s at work. Coaches, star players, role players, established commentators, the international media and NBA league representatives are all working for a living. This is their office.

“My NBA Finals Media Day ends when I almost bump into seasoned ESPN radio analysts and highly respected coaching legends Hubie Brown and Jack Ramsay at the narrow exit door. They’re here to conduct interviews and prepare for Game 4 just like everyone else.

“I politely allow Brown to go ahead. He says with the confidence of a man so sure of his craft and place in the basketball universe, ‘No, you go ahead.’”