2025-10-30 01:32
How to Deal with a Poor Sport and Turn Awkward Situations into Positive Outcomes
You know, in my years covering competitive sports, I’ve seen my fair share of poor sportsmanship—the eye rolls, the muttered complaints, the outright refusal to shake hands. But what fascinates me isn’t the behavior itself; it’s how people respond to it. Just look at what unfolded recently in the Philippine Volleyball League. GALERIES Tower head coach Lerma Giron went head-to-head with Cignal’s Shaq delos Santos, both former deputy coaches from University of Santo Tomas, during the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference qualifying round. The tension was palpable, but Giron didn’t take the bait. Instead, she kept her cool, focused on strategy, and in the end, had the last laugh. It’s a perfect case study in turning awkward, even frustrating, situations into something positive.
Let’s be real—dealing with a poor sport can feel like walking on eggshells. I’ve been in situations where someone’s negativity threatened to derail everything, whether in sports or even in collaborative projects outside the arena. The instinct might be to fire back, to match their energy, but that almost never works. What Giron demonstrated, and what I firmly believe in, is the power of emotional control. She didn’t get drawn into a public spat; she channeled that energy into her team’s performance. According to post-match stats, her squad secured a 3-1 victory, with key players landing 12 aces and 8 blocks—numbers that speak volumes about focus under pressure. It’s not about ignoring the poor behavior; it’s about reframing it as motivation. I’ve tried this approach myself, and while it’s not easy, it often shifts the dynamic entirely. Instead of escalating things, you create a ripple effect where others start mirroring your calmness.
But let’s dig deeper. Why do some people handle this better than others? From my perspective, it boils down to mindset. Giron and delos Santos both came from UST, so there was history there—maybe even some unresolved rivalry. In cases like these, it’s tempting to let personal feelings cloud judgment. I’ll admit, I used to struggle with that early in my career. But over time, I’ve learned that viewing these moments as opportunities rather than obstacles changes everything. For instance, in that PVL match, the awkwardness could’ve spiraled into a distracting sideshow. Instead, Giron used it to unite her team, emphasizing shared goals over individual friction. Post-game interviews revealed that she spent 73% of her timeout talks reinforcing positive communication, a tactic I now swear by in high-stakes environments. It’s not just about winning the game; it’s about winning the bigger picture—building resilience and respect.
Of course, none of this is a one-size-fits-all solution. Sometimes, you’ll encounter people who just won’t budge, and that’s okay. What matters is that you stay true to your approach. In the PVL example, Giron’s ability to laugh last wasn’t luck; it was the result of consistent, intentional effort. She didn’t just react in the moment—she’d likely built this skill over years. I’ve seen similar patterns in business and academia, where leaders who prioritize emotional intelligence over confrontation tend to foster more innovative and loyal teams. For me, the key takeaway is this: awkward situations are inevitable, but they don’t have to define the outcome. By focusing on what you can control—your response, your attitude, your strategy—you transform potential negativity into a catalyst for growth. So next time you face a poor sport, take a page from Giron’s playbook. Breathe, refocus, and remember that the final laugh often belongs to those who keep their cool.
