Frisbeecation 2.0: Let The Mountains Decide
Boon Rockstars in Luzon. Trident Ultimate Battle Grounds in the Visayas and now Ultimate Frisbeecation in Mindanao is finally standing up on its own two feet as Frisbeecation 2.0 successfully gave us another amazing Single Gender season ender. Or was it a single gender season opener? Whatever it was, Frisbeecation is here to give us a chill environment with an undoubtedly exciting weekend in the beautiful mountains of Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
The ice cold weather in the early mornings and nights and the scorching hot mid-day sun, Malaybalay indeed made us all experience the extreme weather of Bukidnon all weekend long, plus a short but sweet burst of a cold sprinkle of rain that gave us a very comfortable evening during Popcorn night. Cheap hotel rooms with affordable and very decent restaurants, Malaybalay is definitely a perfect place for an Ultimate tournament. And do you know what made it more perfect? One word.
BAGANI.
The men of Bagani who made Frisbeecation 2.0 a one big hit was all about working together. Every single member of this Bukidnon open team had a task to do to make 2.0 a great success. Yes, there will always be lapses in organizing an event, but these men showed us that they got each other's backs, no matter what the cost is, they faced all the challenges as men. As a team. As brothers. A podium finish was indeed a big bonus for Bagani, but organizing and making the tournament a success was indeed a big victory for the boys. With Team Bagani, you know that you will have a great Frisbeecation in Malaybalay.
You can actually feel that the 13 Open teams and the 6 teams in the Women's division are saving up a lot of energy on Day 1, but as the sun rises in the east and the hangovers were finally gone from Saturday night's popcorn night, the top teams of the tournament were all about scoring a spot in Day 2. Teams like Dabawenyos, Bandits, Bagani, and Iliguns were all business on the second day, same with the Women's as the Amazons of Iligan, Davao's Dabawenyas, Hijas of Malaybalay and Kallistrate (Beautiful Army) of Cagayan De Oro leading the banner of the Provincial Women's division stronghold, took the Malayblay Capitol grounds by storm.
Though, with only 6 competing teams, The Women's division was stacked with great names like Kyrah, April Adalim, Richelle Abuda, Abby Abs of Malaybalay, Muklit Gamboa, Stacy of Cagayan De Oro, and Ella Mae Balancar of Dumaguete. These girls put on a great show during the weekend, but I was really impressed by the two rising stars of Bukidnon in Tintin and Yvonne Lamigo. Yvonne, who some players of Malaybalay believe will be the next April in the coming years, worked hard together with her teammates in both ends of the field to carry their team (Team Angaray). While Tintin's great footwork, speed, athleticism, and brains, helped team Hijas to win their second straight podium finish (second runner-up)in Ultimate Frisbeecation... And she's only 14 years old.
No Xtian. No Dada. No Evan Boucher. But Nelson, Brylle, Botchok, Bolantoy, Bruno, Jordan, Jak-Jak, The killer trio of Iligan (YanDam... YanDam, Alud!) Are all back in the city of Malaybalay for a chance to bring the Frisbeecation trophy back to their respective homes. The Open division was definitely a battle right from the start of the quarterfinal games.
The Women's finals between The Amazons and Dabawenyas was another classic matchup between the top two women players in the Philippines, Kyrah Tuvilla and April Adalim. As the two Nationals players were battling it out on the field, It seems like that Dabawenyas are walking away with the trophy in the early stage of the finals. But after trailing by 3 (5-8), The Amazons fought back with their own style of Iligan Ultimate and forced the game into universal point finish. Finally, after last years frustrating defeat, The Amazons can finally go home to Iligan with the Trophy.
Talk about coming from behind victories, these two teams were no strangers at all. With their healthy rivalry going strong for the past few months, Boracay Bandits who now consist of great players from Iligan and Dabawenyos powered by players all over Mindanao, you will only expect one thing from both teams... Greatness.
Just like in the Women's division final, the Bandits dominated the early stage of the game, showing everyone that they were back with a vengeance after a very tough universal loss in the hands of Team ATTDE during the cold rainy championship game last year. But knowing Nelson and the gang of Dabawenyos, they will find a way to eat up that big lead and eventually you will find yourselves trailing from behind if you are not too careful in protecting your lead. As the crowd rushed through the sidelines of pitch 1 and I can't see anything in my viewfinder but heads of the cheering crowd, Nelson was already celebrating a second before he caught the disc in the end zone to seal the victory for his homeland, Davao. A great way to end the universal point win, and the tournament in general. This might be the last time that these two great rival teams will face each other this year. And if you will add the series, (AOUGCC: Bandits 0 - 1 Mulatto, Manila Spirits: Bandits 1 - 1 Mulatto) though this one is not Mixed division, looks like Davao is now one game ahead. Looking forward to seeing this very Spirited rivalry/story continue in 2018.
Two universal point championship games for the past two Frisbeecations. It only shows that level of games was so high and the goal of winning a Frisbeecation trophy was on everyone's heads the moment the month of December arrives. Though Frisbeecation has a very chill and relaxing vibe all throughout the weekend, with cool weather and beautiful people inside and out, the level of competition on this side of the country is off the charts. If you really have what it takes to compete in a single gender format, rally up your team and head up to Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
You may have what it takes to be great or not...
Let The Mountains Decide.
For more Frisbeecation 2.0 photos:
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