Phl Ultimate Frisbee team vies in Shanghai tourney

MANILA, Philippines - Screen hunk and Pharmaton endorser Derek Ramsay together with the members of Team Philippines expects a tougher and more challenging field as they set off for Shanghai, China for the 13th Annual Shanghai Ultimate Tournament on June 11-12.

The yearly meet will see 20 teams from all over the world battling it out for the coveted title in Ultimate Frisbee.

“We are very proud to represent the Philippines in the meet,” Ramsay said during yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch. “It’s a gathering of the best ultimate Frisbee teams in the world and we are geared up to make the country proud.”

Team manager Will Steedman said that the Philippines is going to be a force to reckon with in the competition.

“We are one of the top seeds in the competition. I believe we have a very good chance at winning,” Steedman declared in the public sports program sponsored by Smart, Pagcor, Outlast Battery and Shakey’s.

Among the other participants that are expected to put up a tough game are the Singapore Freakshow; Team Boracay, which claimed second place in the World Beach Ultimate Championships in Brazil few years ago; and teams Beijing and Shanghai.

“It is a team game and everyone needs to step up,” said Steedman. “Our bench must be strong because it is an extremely tiring sport. Often, the team with the most players who positively contribute comes out on top.”

For Ramsay, who has been an active figure in the local Ultimate Frisbee scene, physical training also entails mind conditioning to get the game right.

“Without a doubt, it’s a very physically demanding sport, but one must also be mentally alert to plot out a winning strategy,” he said.

And for this tough and challenging role, Ramsay turns to Pharmaton for that much-needed physical and mental boost. Its unique Ginseng G115 extract helps the body cope with exhaustion, thus improving one’s physical and mental capabilities.

“We are definitely going to give our best to make the country proud,” Steedman added. “We want to represent the Philippines to best of our abilities. It’s a chief motivation for the team. And winning tournaments abroad also helps get attention to the sport in the country.”