The Birth of www.inboundpass.com

A stint as a broadcaster in pro basketball has always been the goal of every broadcast journalist. But in my opinion, pro basketball, though watched by millions all over the country and has probably the best players of the country gathered together in one league, it lacked the luster, passion and spirit that collegiate basketball can offer. Collegiate Basketball is forever changing, there is always something new – new issues, new players, new personalities. Each season is a blast.

Every broadcast journalist dreams of having that shot of calling the pro game. And why not, it offered all the perks and fame plus the credibility. But it will be a long, long, long time for some of us in the industry to fit into the places currently occupied by these broadcast veterans.
Our journey towards taking this niche started in Season 67 of the UAAP, and you fellas ever read my previous blog, you will know exactly how this piece of the puzzle fit.

When uaapgames.com became dormant, some of us thought that the opportunity will only go to waste if we didn't continue this adventure. I've talked to Kim Lesaca and Charlie Cuna several times about the idea of creating another website exclusively for College Basketball without the “official” branding to go with it. Which means, we can say whatever we want without the fear of censorship. In other words, it will be coated with opinions with the responsibility and ethics of a journalist.

Redmedia, a company that I co-owned with eventrepreneur Ronald “The Don” Lucero, initially specializes in Relationship Marketing. We brought in an additional head to our company, Yehey.com's grandfather, Dave Quitoriano, to spearhead the creation of the site. To design the website, we sought the help as a partner of rising photographer, Jorem Catilo.

Together, merging our knowledge and credibility of the College Game with Marketing and Technology savvy, we decided to name the site as inboundpass.com.

Inboundpass.com was launched in December 2006 with its black, grey and orange theme. It's first site content was the NAASCU finals. Kim, Charlie and myself thought of accelerating the site's popularity by bringing in a very one-sided, opinionated and willing to take the punches from any side. That was when I met the Green Mind – Tony L. Atayde.

Sometime after the 1st quarter of 2007, we got a tip that there was an ineligible player in the UST Growling Tigers line-up that will suit up for Season 70. Since we are no longer an official site of the UAAP, this is an opportunity for us to create that buzz we needed to be known as a source for controversial issues. We mobilized our correspondent Josef Ramos to investigate the matter and lucky for us, Josef was able to give us documents to prove that this player can no longer play in Season 70.

That player was Jojo Duncil. And from that moment on, inboundpass has started to make some headway into mainstream collegiate basketball.

Since then, more and more people flock to the site searching for more meat. It's site traffic grew tremendously, with every columnist sharing his own opinion on any matter related to college hoops, Inboundpass.com became an instant hit to those who have no time to come to the venue and watch their favorite team. Inboundpass suddenly became mainstream.

Using the Social Media concept, the beta season opener of Inboundpass was equipped with original content, exclusive photos documenting the emotion of College Basketball, blogs, RSS, AJAX, were employed. But as the season went along, we decided to create our own video archive to give that rich and authentic feel of the game never seen on the games' exclusive TV network.

Inboundpass.com has proved that the Internet will soon replace traditional media as THE main source of information especially for College Basketball news and highlights.

Inboundpass.com, in its maiden season, has established itself as the controversial source for Philippine College Hoops Mania.

How I became a Sports Journalist?

I've always loved the game of basketball. The grit, the grind, the dynamics, the teamwork, the physical and emotional aches and pains, the total package. I've always wanted to be involved with the game in any capacity. Luckily, in our pick up games in Dasmarinas Village, I've played with 5 among the 50 greatest PBA players of all time, including legendary imports such as Bobby Parks and Mr. 100% Norman Black and other well-known pros that are now coaching collegiate teams. I am so honored to have played with these guys in my lifetime.

So a window opened when a phone call from Noel Zarate came for an invitation to attend a Center Sports Communications (CSC) Seminar. So I did. I am a member of CSC Batch 8 that includes Pia Boren, Mica Abesamis, NCAA Barker Edwin Logina and Gretchen Malalad. From there, I've met my esteemed colleague in Kim Lesaca including Boyet Sison and Charlie Cuna.

At that time, everybody wanted to work in the broadcast booth of the PBA including Radio and as an aspiring sportscaster, who wouldn't? But there was no room, it was a full house. You have to fall in line with the rest for any position. A writing job was posted in our e-groups for the UAAP's official website – uaapgames.com. Our task was to write for a specific school of our liking. But I'm a red-blooded Bedan so I should be in the NCAA and why in the hell am I doing in the UAAP? A sportswriters challenge is to take on something that you are indifferent, and this was it. A Bedan in the UAAP. But hey, it is still basketball.

Covering the UE Red Warriors on Season 67 was my 1st ever assignment in College Basketball, though I've been following my Alma Mater's, the UAAP I should say was my first ever taste of real college hoops coverage.

It was easy for me to establish a relationship with the Red Warriors because Dindo Pumaren was my classmate from Grade School till High School in San Beda College. I knew what was goin on, and since I understand the game, I how to read the game plan and express it on paper. It was a first time for both of us. It was Dindo's first year Head Coach so goes with mine. It was a mutually beneficial relationship and I owe it to Dindo for my growth as a sports journalist. He made me understand the difficulties of coaching and the beauty of the game.

My exposure with the Red Warriors, as a fan in the NCAA and my familiarity with other UAAP teams made me an instant shoo-in for the 1st ever broadcast of the Collegiate Champions League in 2005. After years in the basement as a trial league, it now deserves its place in the airwaves. Thanks to Noel Zarate and Tin Tin Gamboa, my chance to be in the mainstream media as an analyst has been fulfilled. I was my first taste of the real thing. And that stint carried thru to my other inserts in the Global Destiny Basketball League and the 2006 National Basketball Conference.