Group urges Cebuanos to try Frisbee

SIXTEEN teams braved a hot summer day yesterday in the qualifying round of the 3rd Cebu National Ultimate Frisbee tournament at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Mandaue City.

Because of the high turnout, the 16 teams were spread over two divisions with the top two advancing to the semifinals.

The winners of the semis will face each other in the finals tomorrow afternoon.

“The sport is rapidly growing and it is getting more exciting because there are more competitive teams this year,” said Paul John Regencia, Chairman of the Philippine Ultimate Frisbee Association.

Frisbee is a limited contact sport and unlike other sports, there are no referees as players officiate themselves. It is also not an expensive sport since players only need a disc, football shoes and an open field.

The game is based on honesty and spirit and doesn’t have to be physically intense.

“I think Filipinos love to mingle and create new friends; so, this is a kind of sport they want to engage in. It’s an outdoor sport and you get to hang-out with other people,” said actor Derek Ramsey, who is a member of the Frisbee Philippine Team.

During the game, each seven-member team takes turn on being in the offense or defense.

The teams run after the disc and catch it in any of the seven designated end zones. Play runs for 50 minutes with a five-minute halftime break.

“Hopefully, the sport will grow and camaraderie among the teams will be strengthened,” said Gayang Belgira, president of the Cebu Ultimate Frisbee Inc. (Jazzel O. Bajenting UP Mass Comm Intern)