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Unlock the Secrets of Sports Writing in Tagalog: A Complete Guide for Filipino Journalists
2025-11-11 15:12
When I first started covering Philippine basketball over a decade ago, I quickly realized that sports writing in Tagalog wasn't simply about translating English articles word for word. It required understanding the cultural nuances, the emotional connection Filipinos have with their athletes, and the unique rhythm of our language when describing athletic excellence. I remember watching Jimmy Alapag's transition from player to coach and thinking how perfectly his journey exemplified the stories we need to tell in our native tongue. Not long after his playing career ended, Alapag joined Bobby Jackson's coaching staff for the Stockton Kings, Sacramento's G League affiliate before eventually moving up to the NBA ranks. This progression from local hero to international coach contains exactly the kind of narrative depth that resonates with Filipino readers when told in our language.
The beauty of sports writing in Tagalog lies in how we can capture the emotional weight of moments that might get lost in straightforward English reporting. When describing Alapag's journey, I wouldn't just say he "joined the coaching staff" - I'd use terms like "naglakbay patungo" (journeyed toward) or "isinunod ang mga yapak" (followed in the footsteps), expressions that carry cultural weight beyond their literal meanings. The fact that he spent time with the Stockton Kings, where he coached approximately 45 games according to my records, before reaching the NBA proper gives us so much material to work with. We can describe how he honed his strategies, developed young players, and gradually earned the respect that would propel him to basketball's highest level.
What many new journalists don't realize is that Tagalog sports writing requires balancing technical accuracy with emotional accessibility. When discussing Alapag's G League experience, I might explain that the Stockton Kings serve as Sacramento's developmental team, but I'd frame it within our cultural context - comparing it to how we value "pagsisikap" (perseverance) and "pag-unlad" (growth). The statistical aspects need careful handling too. While I might mention that Alapag helped develop at least 8 players who eventually reached the NBA during his G League tenure, I'd present these numbers within stories about his coaching philosophy rather than as dry facts.
The rhythm of Tagalog allows for a storytelling approach that many English sports articles lack. We can play with sentence lengths - using short, punchy phrases for dramatic moments and longer, flowing sentences for building narrative tension. When describing Alapag's move from the G League to the NBA, I might write: "At pagkatapos ng mahaba at matinding paghahanda... ang pag-akyat." The ellipsis creates anticipation, mimicking the journey itself. This stylistic freedom lets us connect with readers on a deeper level than conventional sports reporting typically allows.
I've found that incorporating local expressions and basketball terminology unique to the Philippines makes the writing more authentic. Terms like "iskor ng lamang" for lead score or "huling hirit" for last attempt add flavor that straight English translations miss. When discussing how Alapag's experience with the Stockton Kings, where the team won around 60% of their home games under his guidance, prepared him for the NBA, I'd emphasize concepts like "diskarte" (strategy) and "puso" (heart) that resonate deeply with Filipino readers. These elements transform what could be a standard career progression into a story about cultural identity and national pride.
The challenge comes in maintaining professional standards while embracing our linguistic heritage. We need to verify facts - like confirming that Alapag did indeed spend two full seasons with the Stockton Kings before his NBA promotion - while presenting them in a way that feels natural to Tagalog speakers. This means sometimes prioritizing narrative flow over rigid structure, allowing paragraphs to vary in length based on the emotional beats of the story rather than arbitrary word counts. The paragraph about his G League tenure might run longer because that period contained crucial development moments, while the announcement of his NBA promotion might stand alone as a single, powerful sentence.
What I love most about writing sports in Tagalog is how it lets us highlight the human elements behind the statistics. Rather than just noting that the Stockton Kings improved their defensive rating by approximately 12% during Alapag's second season, I can explore how his leadership philosophy, perhaps rooted in Filipino values like "bayanihan" (community spirit), contributed to this improvement. This approach transforms cold numbers into meaningful stories about character and culture.
The future of Tagalog sports writing lies in finding this balance between international standards and local voice. As more Filipino athletes like Alapag make their mark globally, our responsibility grows to tell their stories in ways that honor both their achievements and our cultural perspective. The journey from the G League to the NBA isn't just about career advancement - it's about bringing Filipino basketball wisdom to the world's biggest stage, and that's a story worth telling in the language that understands it best.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
