This is definitely one of the most underrated jobs in sports. From the
outside, the pros make it look easy. But in reality, it can be as chaotic as hell.
In the US, they call it public address (PA) announcer. Here in the Philippines,
we call it barkers. Internationally, they are called court announcers (CA).
When I met my mentor back in 2012, it was the first thing that he mentioned
to me when he heard me speak. “O… pwede
ka maging barker ah!” he said. I never entertained the thought that time
because I was too focused on my training to become a sportscaster (because I really
want to be one), that deciding to become a CA would deviate me on my dream to
become a sportscaster (because… I really, really want to be one). I thought it
was a dead-end job that would lead me nowhere near towards my dream.
Four years later… it was when that I decided to finally get in and stay
inside the world of Philippine sports through broadcasting. But to everyone who
is aspiring to become a sportscaster, one knows how difficult it is specially
for an ordinary-looking person like me to get a foot on the door. Doesn’t
matter if you are properly trained to be one or not. Desperate for solutions, I
asked my mentor about it.
“…subukan mo magbarker muna. Ito ang gawin mong entry point sa pagiging
sportscaster mo.”
Since I heard the words that I will become a broadcaster… hell yeah!
Let’s do it! I think I can do it. Back in that 2012 workshop, the parting
advice to me was “Believe in my voice.” So yeah! Let’s do this!
Preparation? Always high premium on me. Even though I know basketball
rules so well, I re-read them and watched a lot of videos of those infractions
and violations that corresponded to those rules. I also listened to different
CAs and distinguished their styles of delivering the calls. On site, I shadowed
my mentor and sat beside a couple of CAs as well to look on how they do their
thing and to study other things that I got to do aside from speaking. I also simulated
what they do so I can get a hang of it.
It is a big break! I must not screw up!
February, 2017… PBA D-League… Tuesday…
“Ganito gawin natin… first
time-out ipasa ko na sayo. Ikaw ang tumawag. Pag nagtime-out ulit, ibalik mo na
sakin.”
Dead-ball situation under six minutes in the first quarter. Mandatory time-out.
The microphone was given to me. A player made a basket, therefore I have to
call his name. One dude from the table officials on my left offered me a
coffee. Another basket is made, and they now offered me energy drink. They were
shouting while they were offering me stuff. On my right was a team bench, and
the coach was naturally shouting. Play goes on. Then a foul was called. The
referee made a signal, but apparently he gave the wrong number. I called the
foul on the wrong number. In three-tenths of a second, everyone was now
shouting at me. Referee acknowledged the wrong signal and made the correct
call. I corrected the call as well. The technical chiefs across us are scolding
the table officials through a two-way radio, and I wanted to lock myself inside
the bathroom for the rest of the day.
This was our scheme when Noel Zarate was training me on being a court
announcer. From in-between time-outs, to until end of quarters, to until end of
halves, to a game, to a game day. Whenever he was the one holding the mic, I
would also pay attention to the game and record fouls and substitutions like I was
the actual court announcer. Letting your mind and body adapt to the flow of the
game is the very essence of being one, which is something I failed to do on
that story I just told you. It is a very different perspective from being a fan
watching in the stands, or a player or a coach watching on your team’s bench. It’s
a chaotic situation, but once you get the flow you will be able to control that
chaos; players reporting in for substitutions, coaches asking for time-outs,
referees’ calls (correct or not), and even announcements totally unrelated to
the game.
One more important key in doing CA duties; relax. It is what everybody
was telling me when I was training in the D-League. It was also the first and
only thing they told me when I made an errant call on my very first (and only,
so far) PBA assignment as a CA. The reason why my fellow table officials was
offering me Robust (energy drink won’t work for me during that time according
to them) because I sound so lame. Even though I was already making the correct
calls and having flawless games, I still sounded lame. This is very similar to
the difference between “playing to win” and “playing not to lose”; “calling the
game as appropriately (enjoy delivery on big moments, serious tone on down
moments) as possible” and “trying not to screw up”. Just when I think I am
confident, but my voice says otherwise. It was an unknown tension that was
present in me during those times that I was starting, so everyone’s advice to
me was very suitable… relax.
Lastly, a heavenly guidance will complete it all. My prayer in every
game is that I wish I can deliver this game the way everybody – the players,
league officials, team officials, the fans in the venue or watching – wanted it;
informative, neutral, and exciting… all for His glory and praise. Through your
faith, you’ll be totally confident and you won’t screw up. I still make errant
calls up to this date, but it doesn’t feel like a total disaster when I make
one, all thanks to Him.
It is one tough job… but, damn it, I’m learning a lot. I value this job
so much that even with the little knowledge and experience I have in court
announcing, I want to teach others who are serious in entering this industry. That
bit of a story might not be scary, but in the actual game, it is… but I can
promise you it will bring out the best in you.
The journey continues…
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Follow the writer on Twitter and Instagram: @sportscastengr
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