Tarsier Ultimate 2018: T7 Weekend in Tubigon
It was definitely a quick trip to Bohol. Tarsier Ultimate was actually not on my schedule this year, but a couple of weeks before the tournament, Bonin sent me a message if I can still make it. 27th of October, a week after the PFDA Beach Nationals, I found myself in a plane heading for Cebu to catch a boat ride to Tubigon, Bohol. The home of this year's Tarsier Ultimate. How can I say no to this community?
Tubigon is a charming little town full of friendly people. As what they always say, “Tubigon may be a small town, but we have everything that you guys need“. If you love seafood,Tubigon is one of the places that have fresh (Lambay)crabs, crawfish (Takla), fresh calamari, shrimps and tuna bellies. And how about some really good ice cream on a Cassava cone? The Buzzz Cafe Bee Farm. My all-time favorite go-to place when I crave for some really good ice cream. Have you tried the Charcoal Flavoured Ice cream yet? They have it at The Bee Farm!
Okay, Let's talk Ultimate!
It was only my second Tarsier Ultimate. And this time around, we were blessed with beautiful weather during the weekend. And as I was getting myself ready I knew that it was going to be a fun-filled weekend with my brothers and sisters in the Visayas (Though I don't speak Bisaya. Sori kaayo.) I stayed on the field for four straight sets of games before I went back to the command center to catch a breather. As always, Day 1 started on a very friendly pace with a few nice grabs and D's.
It was definitely a weekend of hungrier young athletes from all over Visayas. Teams like Sadakrab of Cebu, Mercenaries, Gladiators, Dawindi from Bohol and a few players from Team Doorknob of Dumaguete brought the house down, giving the seasoned teams a hard time on the field.
Let me drop some names here: The younger siblings of Paloy Dela Cerna who runs, play and even look like Paloy. Carlo, the young workhorse of Sadakrab who tirelessly grabs every disc that’s been thrown at him in the air. CM, MM, Coreen, and Angel. Some of the toughest young ladies in Team Doorknobs who handle the disc pretty darn well and can create their own plays. Shayne of Team AT who was totally unafraid to get those layout D's. Gwen Maghuyop (big fan) and Alex Findlay of Mercenaries and Belle Maghuyop of Gladiators. They can totally change the game for the better. That Batingal kid who likes his pictures taken all the time, but he sure is a pretty good handler (easy on the fancy passes, though). The high flying boys from mercenaries and gladiators. They will totally dominate the dogfight in the Visayas Ultimate scene in the future. Although they still need to be more patient with the disc in some situations, they are getting there. They have a ton of years of Ultimate ahead of them. I believe in our young athletes. The future is definitely bright for Philippine Ultimate. That's why they will always have my support. They need exposure. Experience. And tons of “Tough Love”.
Speaking of Tough Love. The game between Mohawks and Mercenaries was definitely one of them. With a 5-0 lead, we all thought that Mercenaries will go for the win against their Ate's and Kuya's. But Mohawks worked their way, cutting the lead down patiently. The game was tied with a few seconds left remaining, Mercenaries scored again and celebrated in the middle of the field thinking that they scored the biggest upset of the weekend.
But No.
After reviewing the clock, it still had a couple of seconds remaining, so the game went on. Mohawks again tied the game on a crucial point in the end zone forcing the game to Universe point. A huge layout mistake from Mercenaries in the opposite end gave Mohawks the play for the win and moved on to the Semis.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Mercenaries. But then again, whatever sport you are playing, if there's still time remaining on the clock you need to play it and defend your ground.
Tough Love from your Ate's and Kuya's. But in the future, you will eventually look back into this experience and maybe someday you will thank the Mohawks on what they showed you one Sunday afternoon in Tubigon. Sometimes, you need to experience these kinds of things to make you a better player. A better team. A better person.
The Pool A Championship game was definitely a treat for the crowd. The young bucks of Team Doorknob together with Daro-Rusi Field veterans went up against a Ringer team composed of some of the Visayas finest with a touch of Fasa Fuego. It was so much fun watching both Paloys (Jeff Dela Cerna and Jeffleonard) fighting for the disc and battling it out all game long, while Oyok and Bruno facing the Dumaguete handlers of Isoy, Kboy and Bao was like watching a couple of floor generals dictating, looking for the right spot to put the disc for an easy score in the end zone. It was supposed to be a classic match up. Unfortunately, Ber Months hit, and the sun sets a little quicker than usual. In the end, both teams decided to call it quits for the safety of the players. And the organizers decided that we have two Champions in this year’s Tarsier Ultimate. And I must say that they made the right decision for both teams deserved to be called as one.
It was definitely a weekend of positive vibration in a little town of Tubigon. I might have regretted my decision if I said no.
Congratulations to all the champions and individual awardees. To the organizers and to the rest of the Bohol Ultimate Community. Most especially to Bonin, Mikel, Maimai and Shaun Paul Sabandal Kobashigawa. Congratulations and Thank you!
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my home away from home in Tubigon, Drossgold Inn, for taking care of me when I am there. From the moment I set foot at the Pier. Salamat Boss, Emil for making all these possible.
Till Next Time!
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