Whirl’d Cup 2019: A Better Blended, Indeed.

1:05 AM All About U 0 Comments





 A Fresh cup of Island Strawberry, a slice of Four-Cheese Pizza, and tons of Ultimate, All in one weekend. What else could you ask for? 

Now on its second year, JMJ Sports Training Services in partnership with Jamba Juice and Yellow Cab created an Ultimate environment in Alabang Country Club (ACC) that you will surely play your hearts out on the field and will definitely enjoy the laid back and chill atmosphere off the field, having a slice of your Yellow Cab Pepperoni Pizza and a sip of that ice cold Tropical Mango from Jamba Juice while laughing the day away with your friends and families. Though they were three teams shy from the number of teams participated last year (27 teams this year), this year’s Whirl’d Cup still feels like massive with a lot of side events happening all over ACC. 







Whirl’d Cup was a last minute addition to my crazy May 2019 schedule. Though I’ve been traveling for 5 straight weekends shooting Ultimate Frisbee all over the country, I just can’t pass the opportunity to cover this tournament for the first time. And hey, you can’t say no when they offer you free Jamba Juice, few slices of Four-Cheese Pizza and Pasta.... and more Pizza. 

Moving on!









It was a hot and steamy Day 1. You can seriously feel the heat at the back of your neck making its presence known that the great ball of fire will beat you and will make your day miserable. But the ACC heat was nothing compared to Davao city a week before Whirl’d Cup where I almost fainted at the command center. 

Braving the heat were the 27 teams coming from all parts of Manila all the way to Tuguegarao, Pampanga, and Subic. It was always nice to shoot around this area because I rarely get a chance to shoot Ultimate in Luzon. They have a different kind of play style up there, and It’s quite nice to witness and cover a different pace. 









The side events were also a pretty nice touch where players compete in Huck Skills Challenge, Serpentine obstacle run and the exciting Handler Skills event where it was like an NBA three-point shootout/Skills Challenge combo. It was a lot of fun for a change!











One of the coolest thing during the Whirl’d Cup weekend was the partnership between Jamba Juice and Philippine Ultimate where a portion of the sales from the Jamba Juice Truck was given to Pilipinas Ultimate National Teams to support them in their international tournament campaign in Japan and China this coming June and July respectively.

During the final round of the tournament (DAY 2) dark clouds rolling in covering the green fields of Alabang Country Club, and moments later the skies poured a massive rain showers where usually I have no problems with, but that time I decided to go under the tents for a few minutes to save my gear and to keep myself dry. I managed to get a few shots in, but luckily the rain died down and finally got the chance to get back out again and be close to the action as possible just right in time for the Pool A Finals. 








The Pool A Finals was played between the All-Time Seasoned veterans, For Old Time’s Sake (FOTS) and Pool A mainstays, Team ALPHA. It was an exciting battle at the start of the first few points of the game. Hucking, chasing and diving all because of that white plastic saucer. Sky battles here and there, everyone’s not giving an inch on the defensive line. It was quite a lot of fun. It was more fun for me because to make it more challenging and exciting on my side, I tried to predict who will score next. If I think FOTS will score the point, I walked and get myself ready on the other end-zone. And If I predicted Alpha will tally a goal this time around, I will make my way on the opposite end. And luckily, 85% of my predictions were correct. So, I managed to capture some decent end-zone shots.

 I guess you just need to do something to make your work more interesting. 








After a few exciting points on Field Three, FOTS managed to break away in the later part of the game, and in the end, the seasoned veterans of Philippine Ultimate hoist their very first Whirl'd Cup. 

For Old Time's Sake is your 2nd Whirl’d Cup Pool A Champions. 











It was definitely a fun, relaxing weekend, blended with intense Ultimate matchups and Healthy lifestyle. Big congratulations to JMJ and Jamba Juice for making that one weekend in ACC a healthy, fun, and exciting two-day tournament.

 It was without a doubt a Better Blended weekend in Alabang.




for more photos:



0 comments: