HUCK O HUNYO 6 (ILOILO CITY)
A weekend of Sun. Rain. Cute Umbrellas and Great Learning.
by Don Laczi
The Iloilo Ultimate Players Association (IUPA) did a tremendous job on this years Huck O Hunyo Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. Stepping up the bar from last years Huck, Neco Tupas together with Sheilamar Gascon and the rest of the IUPA crew delivered a well organized two day tournament, held in Savannah City football field. Eight teams participated. One from Metro Manila (Smart Ultimate), Boracay (Boracay Utimate) and Negros Oriental (Chicken Hearts). Two came from Negros Occidental (De Ultimate Supremos and Yson Ultimate). and Three teams came from Western Visayas (Panay Intensity, Team Potchi and Centralian Ultimate).
Thanks to the Ultimate gods, our prayers for no rain weekend has been answered. But it seems like we all prayed so hard that the gods gave us a scorching hot Independence day Ultimate tournament. But then again, I would rather have a hot sunny day than having a pair of wet socks by the end of the day.
The time has started. The teams are ready. First pulls of the tournament are up. Time to shoot ultimate.
While the sun is heating up place, the games are starting to rev up as well. But I was struggling in the first couple of games. I can’t find my rhythm. Most of the photos that I made are not the ones that I wanted. I keep on telling myself to be patient. “It’s only the first two games. Own it in the coming games!”. There was a 30 minutes to an hour break after the first scheduled games for the opening parade and opening ceremonies. That made me keep my head on the game. Keeping my excitement check and try to relax for a little. It worked perfectly to my advantage.
The games are picking up full throttle. As expected, teams like Boracay Ultimate, Yson and Team Potchi, with their athletic and fast line up, they put on a great show on the field. Home team Panay Intensity fresh from their awe-inspiring Nationals 2015 run, though, the team roster is not complete, they performed a mix of athleticism and systematic disc movement. They said that they haven’t had enough training before the tournament, but DUS still as strong as the first time I saw them play together in Bacolod city. Chicken Hearts of Dumaguete on the other hand, showed the rest of us that with great Spirit, you will still win the hearts of others, whatever the outcome of the game in the end. The young energetic team, Centralian Ultimate still amazes me every time they are out there to compete. They are the future of Iloilo Ultimate. And Smart Ultimate. With coach Felix Angue leading the pack, they showed how individual talents perform as a unit. They were undefeated in day one because of how they play as a team, and knowing the game by heart.
One of the wonderful additions in this years Huck O Hunyo is the day one Boodle Fight lunch break. The teams were catered with LOTS of food that some players were asking for a few more minutes of rest before game time because everyone is full (And happy!). The colorful umbrellas from Boracay Ultimate also made the sidelines look festive. Hammocks for everyone to share with and of course random dance offs are always present during the tournament.
The rain finally dropped during the Finals on the second day of the tournament. Good thing I am well prepared this time. I took out my camera rain cover and my rain coat, and the shooting continues as Boracay Ultimate and team Yson clashed on a rainy championship game. With their Boracay style playmaking, Boracay Ultimate took home the trophy for the second straight year. With players like Junthir, PaoPao, JR, Nok, Ronan, Rolly, Sophie and Gayang, BU is a little bit too much for the most improved team, Yson Ultimate. But hats off to team Yson. From ranked 8th, they worked their way up to reach the finals this year. I remember on my Huck O Hulyo 5 blog last year. This team will go far because of how passionate they are, and how they are willing to learn more about the game, I said. A year later. Here they are now. They are battling against the best teams in this side of the country. It was such pure joy on my part seeing a team improving this fast. Congratulations Team Yson Ultimate.
But I think, the best thing that we all learn in this years Huck O Hunyo is… Well… Learning. Learning more about Ultimate Frisbee. “It’s okay to learn and understand more about the game.” There is nothing wrong when a team who knows better about the rules will come straight at us and correct us of what we just did. It doesn’t mean that they are trying to insult us. They are actually trying to help us understand what is right and wrong, so that the next time we encounter the same situation, we can also share what we’ve learned to a team who doesn’t understand it. Sometimes, we all do need someone to give us a nudge to correct the wrong and to become a better version of ourselves. It’s part of our ultimate life.
Congratulations Boracay Ultimate, Yson Ultimate and Panay Intensity for the 1, 2 and 3 spot in this years Huck O Hunyo! Thank you so much Smart Ultimate, Chicken Hearts (Most Spirited Team), DUS, Team Potchi and Centralian Ultimate for participating this year. I hope we will see you all again next year, and hopefully we will see more teams from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the coming years. Give Huck O Hunyo a try. We will make your Independence day vacation all worth it!
Until then… More images to share. More stories to tell. It’s All About U! Tuloy Lang Ang Party!
So, what's next for Philippine Ultimate Images and Don Laczi Photography? How about Iligan for the first Daddy's Cup Ultimate Tournament! Let's GO!
For more photos from Huck O Hunyo 6:
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