Finding drama and ‘hugot’ in sports

Chot Reyes

TV5 continues its reinvention as a sports channel with its latest ventures with ESPN. Welcome ESPN5, the newest challenger in the current duopoly, led by ABS-CBN and GMA 7.

To bolster its position in the market, the Philippine edition of ESPN.com was unveiled, along with the subscription streaming service ESPN Player, as part of the two companies’ continuing collaboration.

According to TV5 president Vincent “Chot” Reyes, the website will allow the network “to go beyond television.”

The portal aims to “deliver digital access to Filipino sports fans,” offering “premium sporting events,” like the hottest football, boxing, volleyball and basketball tourneys, 24/7. It’s designed precisely with the “hardcore sports fan” in mind.

Reyes explained that since the launch of the partnership last October, “feedback has been encouraging.”

Back on free TV, ESPN5’s flagship program was launched last month, the Philippine version of the popular show, “SportsCenter”—with hosts Aaron Atayde, Lia Cruz, Magoo Marjon and Amanda Fernandez. (The 30-minute program airs live after PBA and other primetime sporting events nightly on TV5.)

The Filipino hosts trained at the ESPN Headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, prior to going on air. “We underwent intensive training. Our colleagues at the ESPN mothership were very generous in sharing tips,” Atayde recalled.

He admitted that anchoring “SportsCenter” was the fulfillment of a childhood dream. That’s precisely why he takes his new job rather seriously.

Reyes asserted: “They are not just news readers.”

Atayde clarified: “We report to the studio early so we can check the editing and the graphics of our stories.”

They also make sure that each presentation is imbued with a Filipino touch.

Cruz recounted: “Our US counterparts, at first, didn’t understand why we did a report on the PBA muses. But they later realized that Filipino viewers consider it a big story.”

Atayde agreed: “Filipinos are ma-hugot (melodramatic). You don’t see that abroad. But in our sports stories, there’s always that human element.”

For example, “SportsCenter” tackled the personal crisis experienced by Milo marathon champ Mary Jane Tabal. On the same day she won the race, her father died.

The team also followed the journey of boxer Jerwin Ancajas, from his humble beginnings in a Cavite gym to a major title bout in the United States.

“Behind every athlete’s success is an inspiring story. It’s not just about the fight; it’s about the story behind it,” related Lloyd Manaloto, ESPN5 head.

Reyes, however, promises to cover all sports events, including those that are not under the network’s banner. “We don’t carry Manny Pacquiao’s Maharlika games because we already air numerous basketball tournaments (with PBA, etc.), but we report about them on ‘SportsCenter’ and on the website,” Reyes remarked.