The 5th Philippine Mixed Ultimate Championship: Be All Weather Proof As You Can Be.
It was one of those "You have to wake up at three o clock in the morning, take a shower and go straight to your 6am flight" day. Yes, it was way too early. But then, I have been away from the Ultimate scene for 3 long weeks (It feels like, I have been away forever) And I just can't wait to get this shooting spree started. It's the 5th Philippine Mixed Ultimate Championship! Flight was on schedule, landed 5 minutes early, we're actually off to a very good start, until a slight miscommunication on the service vehicle. But I think, everything was just part of the whole deal, Right? It's the Nationals, there's suppose to have a little bit of this and that to spice things up.
It's been three long weeks of hibernation, and I can seriously feel the unbearable heat burning up my skin. You can even see heatwaves all over the playing fields (shoutout to Magic, Kenneth and the rest of the crew who braved the heat setting up the lines for you guys to enjoy!) It's crazy! But it was really nice to see some old friends again from all over the country. It actually feels like home. At that moment, I really don't mind the hot weather of Pampanga. All that I could think of was to cover Nationals as best as I can, and enjoy everyone's company at The Villages in Clark, Pampanga. The home of the Nationals 2016
I know it's going to get a little rough and rusty in day 1 since I haven't had any gigs for the last few weeks. I usually don't open my camera bag if I am not working, so I haven't really seen my girls (yes, my cameras) for quite some time. Luckily, defending champions, Sunken Pleasure are on schedule to play their first game, at 8:00 am. I had the privilege to photograph this team for so many times now, and if you feel a little rusty, try to shoot a team or players that are familiar to you. SP players never failed me, up until now. It's a little bit funny that it feels like they already know that I was there on that side of the end zone. After a couple sweet plays, I finally got my groove back and was ready to take on day 1.
I really tried to pace myself and trying not to rush things up because of the intense hot Pampanga weather. Temperature rising rapidly, but thanks to water stations available on every playing fields. My Nalgene was always full of ice and water. I haven't had any problems refilling my water bottle. Props to the organizers for putting water stations near the four playing fields. That was really awesome. I tried to cover every single game as best as I can, but since the playing fields are far from each other, I sadly spent a lot of time walking, and it really breaks my heart seeing a massive play happening far away from me while I was dragging my big belly heading to the playing fields. But then again, the fields are nice and the players likes it. If the players are happy, the game highlights will be great. With that, there's no reason for me to complain. So, I told myself to suck it up, drink some water, start walking and shoot some stuff!
There were a lot of great ultimate on Day 1, lots of upsets and blowouts. But the game between the Boracay Dragons and Mulatto was one for the books. There were only a few provincial teams who made it at this year's Natonals. These two teams really stepped it up, showing everyone how the provincial teams play, showing what they will miss when provincial teams can't make it. It was the game that made me think of a nickname for Kyra (Kyramachine) and Bolantoy showing everyone why he was and always will be the only Cyborg in Philippine Ultimate. That was one of the most hard fought cross over games I have covered this year. That game was amazing.
I spent the whole day of Day 1 walking, standing and shooting in all four fields. The only time that I had a chance to sit down and relax was when I had my lunch and a 5 minute photo update every couple of hours. With the intense heat last weekend, being under the sun the whole day was brutal. But the good thing with going all out on the first day is that you can just take a little breather on the second day if you want to, and only photograph the Quarters, Semifinals and the Championship game.
But there was a little bit of a problem, though. Even though I spent the whole day shooting on Day 1, I still haven't found that one shot that I was looking for. It haunted me the whole night, that I was telling myself to wake up extra early and step it up on the second day. The trudging continues on Sunday at eight in the morning, Carrying all my gear and my trustee water bottle. The massive ball of fire has began to put on another layer of burnt skin at the back of my neck and ears. But I have a job to do. We the photographers and film makers out there have a job to do. To give you images that will remind you of how awesome that Nationals weekend was. And so we all did what we do best. Shoot the heck out of it! And yes. I finally got the shot.
 |
| The One Shot |
The semifinal game of the Dragons and Sid Vicious was intense. The Dragons was ahead by five points when Sid Vicious worked their way to tie up the game. It was a hard fought battle up until the end, but the Dragons came out victorious winning the game in universe point, and will be facing the unstoppable Orange men and women of Sunken Pleasure.
The championship game started in a very exciting fashion with dark clouds covering the playing field. After a while, just like last year at the Cabalen Ultimate Open, heavy rain came in for a visit, giving us all the coolness that we all needed. I just realized that this "It has to rain in the finals" kind of situation at The Villages happened two years in a row, now. So I guess, this is a good lesson for all of us. If ever there will be another event at the Villages.... Don't forget your jacket! I'm just glad that I had my camera rain cover with me, the camera was dry after shooting the game under heavy rain. I surely had a hard time looking through my viewfinder with a plastic cover between my eye and the camera. But then again, it was better than nothing at all.
For the fourth time in five years, Sunken Pleasure took home the National title on a dominating fashion and a very good spirited championship game. Showing everyone why Sunken Pleasure is the best team in the country. Their system, teamwork and love for each other is just too powerful to beat. Congratulations SP!
The venue was great. The organizers did an awesome job. The Marshals nailed it. And the sisig in Pampanga is always phenomenal. It would have been a different story if some of the provincial teams made it this year. But, all in all, it was another Nationals to remember. Congratulations PFDA for another successful Philippine Mixed Ultimate Championship!
Until then... More stories to tell. More images to share... It's All About U!
For more photos:
www.facebook.com/puimages
www.twitter.com/puimages
www.instagram.com/puimages
0 comments: