Sports

Writing
Ariel l. Abel
Bolbok NHS
Sports Journalism is one of
the fastest growing sections
in the mainstream media.
It is also considered one of
the most interesting forms
of Journalism.
(Joel Orellana-Business Mirror)
DUES of Sports Writing
D - Drama
U - Unpredictability
E - Excitement
S - Sensation
(Rex Arcadio A. San Diego)
Sports writing is considered as a
specialized form of writing

Sports ＋ writing
Sports enthusiast mastery of
(former varsity or the language
Frustrated player)
As you develop your
sports article, you have
to come up with the most
interesting angle in your
headline and lead.
Knowing the background of
the game and the competing
teams in the tournament /
competition is one good way
to come up with an
interesting headline and lead.
If background check is not
applicable because it is only an
exhibition game or set up match
for the purpose of competitive
sports writing coverage, then we
have to keenly analyze and observe
how the game/match develop.
We should not only focus on the
individual or team's victory, but
how the victory is earned but who
played the key role in the victory.
The concept of the best play/best
player lead is always ideal, rather
than the common team-centered
angle's vistory.
Example 1

Lipa City defeats Dasmarinas City, 2-0 (weak)

Lady Stallions open its title retention bid

with 2 straight sets victory over
Dasmarińas City Monarchs (strong)
STA. CRUZ, Laguna - Depending Volleyball
Women’s Champion, Lipa City Stallions
unleashed its championship caliber at the
expense of the Dasmarińas City Monarchs,
hacking out a two straight sets dominant
conquest, 2-0 at the Laguna Sports
Complex, in the Women’s Volleyball match
preliminary round, February 12.
Example 2

Stallions demolish Bravehearts, 83-59

(weak)

Lupac’s double double steers Lipa City

Stallions over Tanauan City Bravehearts
(strong)
STA CRUZ, Laguna - Aeron Lupac
chipped in 22 points and 11 rebounds
for his another double double
performance leading the Stallions
charge rolled past Tanauan City
Bravehearts, 83-59 to top Group A with
two victories in Men’s Basketball
elimination round at Laguna Sports
Complex, February 14.
Example 3

Junior Stallions defeat San Pablo City for 2

consecutive wins in STCAA
(weak)

Maralit-led Junior Stallions crash pesky San

Pablo City squad for two consecutive victories
in STCAA
(strong)
STA. CRUZ, Laguna - Brent Ydward
Maralit provided a much needed spark
for the Junior Stallions to subdue the
erstwhile San Pablo City, 2-0 for his
team’s two consecutive victory in the
preliminary round of the Volleyball
Boys’ Elementary Division at Laguna
Sports Complex, February 13.
What
else
should
be our
focus?
1. Player / team statistics. In
any game or match, it isn't enough
that we used loaded sports lingo, we
have to justify it with accurate facts
and statistics. It will serve as your
strong support as you develop your
sports story.
Example
STA. CRUZ, Laguna - Brent Ydward Maralit provided a
much needed spark for the Junior Stallions to
subdue the erstwhile San Pablo City, 2-0 for his
team’s two consecutive victory in the preliminary
round of the Volleyball Boys’ Elementary Division at
Laguna Sports Complex, February 13.
The Junior Stallions team captain delivered 13
points in the game with his 7 attack points and 6
service aces mostly in the second set to shutdown
the potential comeback of the San Pablo City-based
team en route to 25-21 and 25-11 domination.
Troy Asufre, a prize recruit from San Sebastian
Elementary School had his own show in the
spotlight as he made 7 crushing spikes down
the line, penetrating the vulnerable defense of
the team from the famous City of Seven Lakes.
Meanwhile, ace setter Jomari Diaz, accounted
for 27 excellent sets and five service aces in
delivering the goods for the De La Salle Lipa-
based team, which saw itself on top of Group A
on the second day of a week long competition.
Example 2
STA CRUZ, Laguna - Aeron Lupac chipped in 22 points
and 11 rebounds for his another double double
performance leading the Stallions charge rolled past
Tanauan City Bravehearts, 83-59 to top Group A with two
victories in Men’s Basketball elimination round at Laguna
Sports Complex, February 14.
The Stallions team captain played key role in anchoring
the De La Salle Lipa -based team’s second and final
quarter blitz to seal the victory over their longtime rival
whose hassle kept them within the distance but stumble
to the pressure defense of the much better Stallion squad.
Meanwhile, Bjorn Abueg contributed 17 markers
on 5 out of 6 triple attempts and added 5 steals as
power forward Ian Abila dropped 16 points and 7
rebounds for the Stallions which is now on top of
Group A with 2-0 clean slate.
Braveherats’ Joven Carandang led Tanauan City
with 14 points and three shot blocks but the
Stallions 2-3 zone defense and effective trap cause
the team to commit 17 turnovers as Kyle Roxas
and Jonathan Ruiz added 10 points apiece in their
loosing effort.
Example 3
Stephen Rieley Javier led Stallions’ five players in
double figures with his 17 markers and 3 steals,
while Raphael Dimayuga chipped in 16 points and
dished out 7 assists in a game that was so vital
because it will hugely affect the team’s fate comes
next day’s knock out phase.
Ian Abila had a double double of 12 points and 11
rebounds while Paul Kenneth Larosa and Bjorn
Abueg contributed 11 and 10 points respectively for
the Stallions balance scoring.
Meanwhile, Grant Timog had a monster game
with 23 points and Renz Anthony De La Cruz
had 13 markers but they were the only two
players in double digits as most of their
teammates were got bothered of the pesky
defense by the Stallions.
The Stallions made 11 out of 19 triple attempts,
while Laguna only managed to sink in 4 of their
21 attempts beyond the arc. The latter also have
more turnovers with 23 compare with the
Stallions only 11.
2. Interview
Interview is very important. We
have to get the emotions and
feelings of the players/coaches,
their strategies / gameplan in the
game and their key opensive and
defensive adjustments in the match
straight from them.
Interview is also one
justification of the sports
writers' analysis of the game or
game results. It will also
support the writer's angle even
his/her statistics of the game.
“As early as possible we want to make a
statement for the rest of the competing teams
here in this tournament, we came here as a
champion and we’re gonna go home at the end
of this competition still a champion”, coach
Regine Diego said in an interview with the
Stallion Express moments after the game.

Lady Stallions open its title retention bid with 2 straight sets
victory over Dasmarińas City Monarchs
“Magagaling sila kasi, ang tataas
nilang tumalon tapos
matatangkad pa. Kami kasi
medyo nagpapakiramdaman pa
sa game namin, mahirap kasi
kapag selection ang team, yung
practice talagang mahirap gawin
lalo pa’t di naman kami gaanong
magkakakilala pa” said Justine
John Limcolioc of Elizabeth Seton
School South, who led the Imus
team with his 15 attack points.
Stallions overcome sloppy start
squeak past Imus City in two
straight sets
“Our defense was really great, I told my
boys to trap as early as the first
quarter, but napaka-slow ng start
namin. Ito yung character ng team na
to, kahit na matambakan ng malaki,
lalaban at lalaban pa rin kami
hanggang sa huli, we we’re playing
with only 11 men in my team, ang Lipa
kumpleto, so dun pa lang dehado na
kami. Masaya pa rin ako kasi muntik
na eh, kinapos lang sa dulo”, added
Calamba City coach James Garcia in a
separate interview.

Gutsy Stallions repulse tough Calamba City squad

gain semis berth in Secondary Basketball
Things to remember during the sports coverage:
1. Focus with the game.
2. Be ready with your paraphernalia (pencil,pen,clip board)
noting of important details using smartphone is not allowed,
including recordings of the interview.
3. Have a strategic location during the coverage for you to
see the game clearly without missing any detail of the game.
4. Turn-off that phone / headset, it will bother you.
5. Don't pay attention with anybody around you. Look at the
players playing at all times.
Things to remember during the interview
(pre-game and post-game)
1. Ask only relevant questions.
2. Avoid asking questions answerable by yes or no,
come up with open-ended questions.
3. Don't ask the players/coach about how they feel.
(unless its a championship match)
4. Have your questions related with the background
of the game.
5. Be ready to make series of follow-up questions.
6. Have more questions if possible but be
spontaneous.
7. Ask also the losing team, player to observe
balance in your report.
8. Be attentive, never ask a question previously
given by others it will make the player lose his/her
interest to answer other questions.
9. Use the sandwich method when asking questions.
10. Act like a professional when asking questions.