Pampanga Emperors ‘ultimate champs’ in Malakas at Maganda League 2012

THE Pampanga Emperors of the “Ultimate” (Frisbee) fame became the champion for the Pool C Division of the Malakas at Maganda League 2012 held at the Alabang Country Club recently.

The group started forming an “Ultimate Community” but it was not until March through May of 2011 that it started coming out to play on a regular basis.

Around late August to early September, Pampanga formed a team that would compete in tournaments across South and Central Luzon.

The Pampanga Grounds -- now renamed Pampanga Emperors -- have since competed in four tournaments: Apollo (the Emperors’ very first tournament) where they placed 1st in the beginners division; Halloween Beach Tournament; Subic Ultimate Beach Open (SUBO) awarded 1st runner up in Pool C division and the latest was at the Malakas at Maganda (M&M) where they got the highest place in the Pool C division.

To this day, the Emperors continue to practice and improve together as a team. They also host pick-up games specifically intended for both beginners and the experienced to compete in lower level competition games.

Some members have also initiated ultimate practices and games for the not-so-competitive ones who just want to have a regular dose of the ultimate for recreation and exercise only.

These activities are mainly held at the Clark Parade Grounds or at the Essel Park in Angeles City.

The Pampanga Ultimate Community welcomes all kinds of players from ages ranging 6 to 60, experienced or with no experience at all, athletic or even the not-so-athletic—either way, it is a great way to meet new people, learn something new, and stay in shape.

It also has a Facebook group page as well that keeps members up-to-date on pick-up games and particular Ultimate-related events, so if you are interested trying a new sport or getting into shape, check out the page and learn why this sport is called Ultimate.

Backgrounder

Ultimate is played between two teams of seven players on a large rectangular pitch. A line drawn across the pitch at either end creates two "endzones" (like in American Football). These are the goal-scoring areas.

A goal is scored when a team completes a pass to a player standing (or more likely running) in the end zone they are attacking.

Ultimate is essentially non-contact; any contact between players can be declared a foul. There's a variety of other minor violations, but that's the big one.

Ultimate is unique in that it is refereed by the players themselves, even at World Championship level, according to a code of conduct known as "the Spirit of the Game". This places the responsibility for fair play on the players themselves. In that respect, playing Ultimate is a completely different experience than playing other sports. And believe it or not, Ultimate's system of self-refereeing works, beautifully.