Boracay Dragons, Boracay Pirates settle for 4th place in World’s beach frisbee championships

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Philippines frisbee teams finished 4th place in the men’s and mixed divisions of the 2017 World Championships of Beach Ultimate (WCBU) in Plage de la Grande Conche Royan, France.

Held from June 18 to 24, the tournament sanctioned by World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) attracted 1,700 players in 39 countries. 

In the bronze medal match, France upset Philippines, 13-10, in the 16-teams men’s division. 

The Philippines ‘Boracay Dragons’ smashed fourth seed Spain, 12-4, in the quarterfinals to set up a semi-final match with third-ranked Great Britain.

The British, however, stunned the Filipinos, 10-7, with their late stops and amazing plays. 

Great Britain faces powerhouse squad USA in the finals. The United States defeated host nation France, 13-6 in the semi-finals. 

Philippines was undefeated with 11 wins in Pool B play heading to the quarterfinal matches. The team beat France (11-7), Australia (11-7), Sweden (13-7), Belgium (11-8), Great Britain (12-10), Ireland (11-10), Germany (11-9, Currier Island (13-4), Estonia (13-11), Italy (11-6) and New Zealand (13-4).

Team Philippines men’s division was represented by actor Derek Ramsey, Jeffrey Rodriquez, David Liboon III, Dominick Famorcan, Kenneth de Guzman, Kevin Michael Kelly, Jeff dela Cerna, Quinjune Villanueva, Kevin Jeffrey Pascua, Jordan Miraflez, Jose Miguel Leechiu, Jose Antonio Pasgina, Hubberth Kristian Guerrero, Michelle delos Santos, Antonio Lopez, Jr. and coach Jude Lee.   

In WCBU 2015, the Philippine Men won the bronze in Dubai and the silver in WCBU 2011 in Italy. 

MIXED

In the 16-teams mixed division, Germany beat Philippines, 12-7 for the bronze medal. 

The Philippines’ Boracay Pirates arranged a semi-final match by defeating Indonesia, 11-7, in Round 1. 

Canada nipped Philippines, 10-9, in the semis, to face USA in the finals. 

Hendrix Maming, Benjamin Yap, Antonio Francisco, Junthir Flores, James P. Yap, Charlotte Kate Mercer, Paul Richie Mariano, Jeffson Ong, Vergil Nelson Canedo, Jean Tuvilla, Chloris Elodine Manguerra, Maryviel Dublin, Rechelle Abuda, Chelsea Janlouis Reyes and Renante Onlayao, Jr.  comprised the delegation in the mixed division. 

Meanwhile, Philippines also settled for 12th place in Master Women category. 

The article was originally published by independent online blog Aklan Forum Journal. The unrestricted use in print or radio, publication and distribution of articles are allowed provided the original author and Aklan Forum Journal are credited.