Daba Daba Ikaunom: Magkahiusa Ta! Quitting is not an Option!
A few days have passed since the last day of the biggest Ultimate Frisbee tournament in Mindanao had ended. The video highlight is finished and the photos are almost done. But the hype, the excitement, the heat of the sun, even the feeling of being on the dusty sidelines waiting for something to happen in front of my camera, still feels like yesterday.
This is the biggest Daba-Daba to date. And finally Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are all represented this year. Though the four playing fields are seriously in a very bad condition, the players played the whole weekend like it was the best playing fields they had ever played on. The games are all in the highest level as it can be.
I almost called it quits. It was way too hot. I've been to so many scorchy places, but last weekend was the worse. I thought that one weekend in Alabang together with Coach Yuki and the TP Womens team were the hottest coverage I've been to. I was wrong. On the second day of Daba-Daba Ikaunom, I couldn't barely stay outdoors for half an hour because it feels like the heat doesn't only come from above but also below the ground. You can even see the heatwave at some point. I kept myself hydrated and cool (Mango shakes helps too!) as much as I can. But I think the one thing that really kept me going was the players. They never quit. Yes, they are complaining about how awful the weather was. But they never stopped. So I didn't quit on them as well. It's the "AllAboutU" mentality. My way of doing my part for this wonderful community.
The games are intense. Too many action shots were captured, too many highlights were missed. That's how crazy the Daba-Daba weekend was. But I think the Pool A championship game between Mulatto and Sid Viscious was definitely "The Game" of the tournament and will be remembered for a very long time. Mulatto was trailing by two points most of the game, until the strong line of Nelson, Dada, Bolantoy, Jordan, Kyrah, Abby and Lien managed to work their way up to tie the score to 14. Brylle's huck to a flying Kyrah near the end zone and an easy hand off to Bolantoy sealed the deal, and the crowd roars. Mulatto took home the bacon this time around.
But, huge respect to Sid Viscious (I just love the team name. And shout out to my second favorite team name, the South Side Guerrillas!) flying out to Davao all the way from Metro Manila. They did absolutely amazing the whole weekend. Dominating Pool A all throughout the tournament. With Derek and Will leading the way, together with some of the talented players like Junie, Reema, Cha, Jo, Jess, Arts, Cassie and Mat, this team will make you work hard every point. I have a feeling that they will do great things this coming Nationals in Pampanga. Everytime you go up against Viscious, expect a massive battle, folks.
"Quitting is not an option". I think thats the best way to describe the Daba-Daba Ikaunom weekend. Up to the last point, nobody says it was over. As long as there is still time. As long as there are more options to win the game. You just have to keep on grinding. Keep on working, until you finally taste that victory.
Mulatto showed us last weekend that with teamwork and heart, anything is possible. There's no tough mountains to climb if you work together. There's only victory at the end of the tunnel. One Love. One Heart. One Team.
Congratulations Familia Mulatto for another succesful and well organized Daba-Daba! To Ma'am Daisy, Sir Joie and the rest of the organizers, thank you so much for giving PUI another chance to be a part of this amazing tournament. Daba-Daba Ikaunom: Magkahiusa Ta! is definitely one for the history books! Hope to see you again next time for more Mindanao Ultimate action!
Until Then... More images to share. More stories to tell... It's All About U!
See you at Nationals!
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