Flying disc is a demo sport in SEA Games 2025. That didn't matter for the players of Pilipinas Ultimate, who bore financial hardships and extended periods of being away from home, just to witness their sport gain recognition at this level.
Flying disc is just a demo sport in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
People may know it as Ultimate Frisbee. Or simply Ultimate.
But the Pilipinas Ultimate team didn't care if their SEA Games gold gained on December 17, Wednesday night, didn't count in the country's medal tally.
They were fighting for a higher purpose.
"We know it's a demo sport. Doesn't matter to us. It's still the first time the sport is being highlighted in SEA Games," coach Felix Angue told Cignal's Denise Tan.
The Philippines withstood a strong Singapore team to clinch the inaugural gold in the Ultimate Mixed Division, 9-7.
"We want to get this moment here and earn that very first gold. And I was telling the team earlier in our huddle that regardless of what other people say, nobody can take this moment away from them."
The Philippines, a big winner at the 2025 Asia-Oceanic Ultimate Championships (AOUC) in Japan, was driven to get the recognition for the sport in the multi-sporting event that is the SEA Games.
It has not been easy for this team.
Angue shares half of his players hail from the province. All of the expenses to prepare for the SEA Games are out-of-pocket for the players, who aren't really well-off.
"Some of these players, we had three players that were living in my house for about a month away from their families in Bukidnon and Iligan just so they don't have to keep flying back," he said. "So, to be away from their loved ones and to be immersed in just training for this opportunity, 'yun 'yung part ng mga sacrifice na binibigay nila. Oras, pawis talaga, tsaka yung obviously yung financial side."
Angue hopes the gold medal can help push support for what is a highly competitive frisbee country.
"We were hoping that the campaign we did here will help pave the way for better support for the next generation of athletes. And that's really what we're hoping for, so that more players will get the opportunity to try to represent the country as well," he said.
(With reports from Denise Tan/Cignal)
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup.
Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.