STAYING WITH THE PBA

From my Manila Standard Column, Game Winners, Feb. 18, 2011

Allow me to share with you an interesting story about my career. GMA News TV had just been launched with a slew of wonderful shows that serve, inform, and entertain the viewing public. It’s an exciting new venture for the network giant which will be launched come February 28, replacing Qtv.

I was set to have a sports talk show there with Chino Trinidad called Game. We had a wonderful trade launch, talked to the potential sponsors, shared our excitement with all the great news anchors, reporters, TV hosts and talents. We shot the opening billboards, had a photo shoot for the materials, and came out in the papers already.

A few weeks ago though, Solar TV announced that they would now air the PBA on Studio 23 as block timers because they were to revamp their programming and didn’t have room for the PBA and the NBA.

I’ve been with the PBA for 8 years now, as a courtside reporter and as the first and only female anchor. I’ve always been proud of that achievement but I know I still have much to accomplish and to improve on. Needless to say, I’m very passionate about the PBA and of course that career that I’ve been so blessed with.

When GMA learned of Solar’s move, my producers talked to me. Basically, I had to choose between doing my show on GMA or being with the PBA because it’s on Studio23, an ABS CBN Channel. Caught in the middle of this network war, I had to make a choice. For GMA, I can appear on any channel except an ABS CBN channel, which is absolutely understandable. I respect that.

Working for GMA would’ve certainly been an honor. The production team behind the show are absolutely brilliant and dedicated. Working with Chino would’ve been exciting. But my choice is to stay with the PBA. They respect that.

I have to admit that it wasn’t very easy when I was weighing out my options. I consulted some people, my husband being on top of the list of course, and they all came up with varying responses. Some thought I was better off with GMA, others thought otherwise. I prayed long and hard and listened intently for what God wanted me to do.

For Game, and for GMA News TV, I can only wish them the very best. It’s definitely a news channel that will elevate the consciousness of the Filipino. Bravo!

As for the PBA, today’s the day they debut on Studio 23, still produced by Solar TV, keeping the same great on cam talents and hard working and very creative production team.

The quest for the Commissioner’s Cup begins at 5pm, live from the Centennial Arena in Laoag City where the new and improved Meralco Bolts test their mettle against the forever fan favourites Bgy. Ginebra Kings.

If you’re reading this at 10 in the morning, at this time, I’m strapped on my seat inside the PLDT private plane, hitching a ride to Laoag, grateful that I get to anchor the 1st game of the new conference with one of the people that I truly admire in the industry, Quinito Henson.