Twenty-nine teams will vie for ultimate supremacy as the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP) Ultimate Organization’s (UP DUO) Apollo 10 kicked off on October 5 at the UP Sunken Garden.

Love Team, Pampanga Emperors, and Raijin topped Pool A, Pool B, and Pool C of the Elite tournament, respectively, while Young Blood and B&B topped Groups Y and Z of the Under-21 groups.

“Apollo 10 is a unique tournament wherein there are no substitutions for 40 minutes of ultimate and what’s special about it is that the teams are self-officiating, as marshalls are assigned only to tabulate the scores and ensure the safety of the players,” explained event head Bea Reyes, who is also a player for Young Blood.

The psychology sophomore from UP added that ultimate is “a combination of different sports” wherein the way to score is for a player to receive the flying disc (popularly known as Frisbee) on the end zone.

“Scoring resembles rugby or American football but without contact or tackles, while motion resembles basketball as running with the disc is prohibited—you are only allowed to pivot before passing. It is also a game of strategy and positioning, much like chess,” she added.

Being self-officiating, Reyes emphasized that ultimate is “a great way to develop sportsmanship, honesty, and healthy living to young Filipinos” and is a sport where Filipinos can excel internationally because “height and physical strength is not a requirement.”

“As for Apollo 10 being a no-substitute game, what’s important for a player is to have the necessary endurance, focus, and willingness to play as a team,” she explained.

Apollo 10 will resume on October 27 at Greenfields in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, wherein the crossover quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals for each tournaments will be held.