Laguna, Philippines: The Transcom Rugby Championship will stay in the Philippines for the second year in a row after the Philippine Volcanoes - Philippine Residents XV defeated Singapore last Saturday at Southern Plains, Laguna. 

In wet conditions the visitors started strongly with two penalty conversions racing to a 6 point lead through Charlie Lambert. Philippine Volcano Tim Bweheni stood out for the Philippines scoring all 10 points in the first half through a penalty, a try of his own and a conversion to make it 10 points to 9 after 40 minutes.

The Philippine backline was well directed by Joe Palabay Dawson and veteran Gareth Dela Rosa Holgate, the Philippines showing flair at times in the wet whilst the forward pack tamed the Singaporeans in tough, muddy and wet conditions. 

Three minutes into the second half the Philippines extended their lead through quick thinking, a brilliantly timed quick tap from Dawson finding a flying Justin Villazor Coveney to bust over the white line for another 5 points. Bweheni converted the try to make it 17 to 9.

The Philippines found more breathing space through outside centre Gregory Golmann scoring after a superb line break from the Philippine backline crashing over in the 52nd minute. Bweheni's radar was on securing another two points from the sideline to make it 24 to 9. 

Singapore fought back not long after, with a never say die attitude Murray Campbell broke through 25 meters out to set up a 5 pointer for his team. An unsuccessful conversion from Lambert had the Philippines in the lead 24 points to 14 with fifteen minutes on the clock left.

The Singaporeans never held back, grinding away at the Philippines defensive line pushing the team to its limits at times. Ill discipline affected the Philippines with Lambert slotting a crucial penalty to make it 24 to 17 with 5 minutes remaining. 

On the 78th minute the Philippines secured the match after Bweheni found space to set up Dawson to close out the match 29 points to 17 and securing the Transcom Rugby Championship. 

"The match was played with great spirit from both teams. After a slow start with the rain, the sun came out and was a fiercely contested match. Another positive result for Philippines after a strong game from our players. A proud result considering Singapore are ranked 60th in the world. A big thanks to Transcom, Seapac Philippines and MVP Sports Foundation our sponsors, without their support its hard to be able to host international fixtures. It all contributes to developing the sport in the Philippines" Matt Cullen, Managing Director of the PRFU shared. 

The International friendly was held as a pre-preparation match as both teams will compete in the Asia Rugby Championships. The SPI Philippine Volcanoes will depart to Malaysia on May 12 to play Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates on May 14, 17 and 20.

Laguna, Philippines: The Singapore national rugby team have flown into the Volcanoes home territory to challenge the Philippines in the 2017 Transcom Rugby Championship. 
 
The Philippine Residents XV is a team comprised of Philippine Volcanoes, expatriates and local Philippine National Development players. The Residents XV is a new program formed under the support of Transcom, Seapac Philippines and the Philippine Rugby Football Union, the national governing body of the Philippine Volcanoes.
 
"Were excited to take part for the second year in a row in the Transcom Rugby Championship. In last years championship we played a well drilled and physical Sabah Rugby outfit. A game we held on to win 25 to 19. It gives an opportunity to showcase the highest level of rugby here in the Philippines" shared Jake Robrigado Letts, National Teams Head. 
 
The Residents XV have a bigger mountain to climb this year, the Singapore national team are ranked 60th in the world. 2015 was the last visit the Singaporeans had in the Philippines, the Volcanoes won the match 20 to 17 at INC's Philippine Sports Stadium. 
 
Matt Cullen, Managing Director of the PRFU stated how how it all came together "Singapore contacted Philippine Rugby earlier in the year for an international friendly, we took the offer straight away, no hesitation at all. Our Residents XV Team being a collection of all the best rugby players residing here in the Philippines I knew it would be a great fixture. I was very impressed with the team last year, this match is going to be a good hit out for both teams. I'm predicting a good old fashioned match on Saturday afternoon at 3.00pm"
 
The Singaporeans and Philippines will be testing out their top flight of players in preparation for the Asia Rugby Championships next month.The Philippines will be coached by David Johnston and injured Volcano Jake Letts. The coaches have selected experienced team members Joe Palabay Dawson, Gareth Dela Rosa Holgate, Justin Villazor Coveney and Benjamin Prigola Mudie. Jovan Reyes Masalunga also returns to the starting line up after a long term injury suffered in last years victory over Sabah. 
 
"The chemistry in the team is impressive, you have the best Filipino players in the country teaming up with the best players from the Manila Nomads, Eagles RFC, Clark Jets, Cebu Dragons, Makati Chiefs and the SKF Mavericks. It's a great program, excited to see how they match up" Letts added. 
 
The SPI 15s is the local domestic rugby competition and will act as the pre curtain raiser. The first match will be Makati Chiefs against the Manila Carabaos at 10.00am, followed by two more local matches. The main game is at 3.00pm between the Philippines and Singapore. 

GLOBAL nutrition company, Herbalife Nutrition proudly announces its newest sports partnership with one of the most exciting team in the local sports scene to date, the Philippine Rugby Football Team-Philippine Volcanoes.  


Herbalife Philippines General manager Rosalio T. Valenzuela and Philippine Rugby Football Union President Rick Santos led the contract signing which was held at Herbalife’s Philippines corporate office. 
Also present to witness the momentous event were Herbalife Philippines’ management team; PRFU’s William Bailey (treasurer), Ada Milby (secretary-general), Jake Robrigado Letts (National Teams Head), and national team players’ Justin Villazor Coveney and Acee San Juan.


“This is another milestone for Herbalife Philippines, as this partnership exemplifies the company’s commitment to a healthy, active life, supported by good nutrition. Together with the Philippine Volcanoes, we are confident that we can inspire more people to make better choices towards a healthier lifestyle,” said Rosalio T. Valenzuela, General Manager of Herbalife Philippines. 

The Philippine Volcanoes are one of the Philippines’ most successful national teams. Just recently, they bested 10 other countries to win the top prize in the Asian Rugby Sevens Trophy Series competition in Qatar. Currently, the team is ranked first in the Southeast Asia after bagging the gold medal in the 2015 edition of the SEA Games.


With the recently forged partnership, Herbalife becomes the Official Nutrition Partner of the Philippines Volcanoes. The team will receive a monthly supply of products which includes the recently-launched sports nutrition line Herbalife24 F1 Sports and Rebuild Strength. 


“Our partnership with Herbalife Nutrition is inspired by our shared commitment towards improving lives through an active lifestyle and healthy well-being. The collaboration provides a much-needed boost to the development and promotion of Philippine Rugby as the PRFU focuses on grassroots development and defending the Men’s and Women’s 7s medals at the SEA Games,” said Santos.

Source: Manila Standard

http://manilastandard.net/sports/sports-plus/234540/herbalife-backs-volcanoes.html

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Singapore: The Philippine Volcanoes spent their Holy Week bagging back-to-back bronze medals in the 2017 Singapore SEA 7s.

In torrential conditions for all teams, the Transcom Lady Volcanoes were first into the bronze medal match after comfortably beating Indonesia 30 points to 0 in their final match of Pool B. After finishing second in their pool behind Singapore, the ladies secured a semi final berth against the number one seed Thailand.

After a one sided affair against Thailand, the Lady Volcanoes fought back to beat Malaysia 17 points to 12 in the bronze medal match. The match was the only game of the tournament to go into extra time. Sylvia Tudoc became the hero after scoring a golden point try to win it for the Lady Volcanoes and secured a spot on the podium for the second year in a row.

​On the flip side, the Men’s Volcanoes recently backed by Globe Telecom, also took off on a shaky start. The Volcanoes trailed the first seven minutes 17 points to 0 against Singapore in horrid conditions. The Volcanoes were little too late falling 17 points to 5 in the opening match. The Volcanoes however found their form for the remainder of the tournament. Blitzing Indonesia 35 points to 0 and 47 points to 5 against Brunei.

The Volcanoes finished the night on the podium after beating Thailand on a buzzer beater through young Madrona. Madrona scoring in the corner after full time to secure a 12 points to 10 victory. This secured another bronze medal finish and another piece of silverware for the Globe Ph Volcanoes in 2017.

The Men's Volcanoes sent a development team stacked with new blood and debutants, the young Volcanoes did not disappoint. Jonel Madrona voted Man of the Tournament by the coaching staff and Joshua Aragon played outstandingly well considering it was their first men's tournament. Christian Vitug also showed glimpses of class. All three members are graduates of the First Pacific U19 rugby development program. 

"In the end, 7s is so unpredictable, so many close games at all levels. I am happy to be walking away with some sort of silverware here in Singapore. Some silverware is always credible" shared Jake Robrigado Letts, National Teams Head of the PRFU. 

Both teams used this as a pre tournament warm up for the 2017 Southeast Games.

"We are on track, the Men's identified some youth and the Women's have seen what it takes to go one better" Letts commented further. 

Moving forward the Men's Volcanoes are straight into preparations for the  Asia Rugby Championships, the SPI Volcanoes are up against Sri Lanka, Malaysia and United Arab Emirates on May 14, 17 and 20 in Ipoh, Malaysia. ​

Singapore; The Philippine Volcanoes endure no Holy Week break as they compete this Friday and Saturday at the Singapore SEA 7s.

The Volcanoes will use this opportunity to test out their SEA competitors ahead of the 2017 Southeast Asia Games in Malaysia in August.

The Men's national team, the Globe Ph Volcanoes will be sending a mixed contingent of players fielding four debutants for development and experienced campaigners Gareth Dela Rosa Holgate, Justin Villazor Coveney and Alex Norona Aronson. All three members were part of the Volcanoes Gold medal romp in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games. 

The Men's team are coming off a 7 game winning streak, undefeated in their last tournament in Qatar and securing two wins in their international friendly series against Te Kaha, a NZ navy team earlier in the month.

The Globe Volcanoes, led by coaches David Johnston and Jake Letts will match up against hosts Singapore in their first match of the tournament, followed by Indonesia and finally Brunei to finish the day. The winner of the pool will advance straight to the final to be played at the Singapore National Stadium on Saturday. 

"It will be a tough challenge for this team, we have some young players new to the group who are keen to prove themselves at this level. Our first game against Singapore will be our toughest match, if we can win this we can then hopefully look to make the final the following day" shares veteran Holgate.

The Transcom Lady Volcanoes on the other hand are sending a near full strength line up. The Lady Volcanoes are looking to defend a bronze medal. The ladies have to pass Singapore and Indonesia for a seed in the semi finals. The women have yet to finish in the top two in Southeast Asia however the team management is optimistic for this weekend.

"The Women's program continually strengthens each year, a respectable 4th place finish in the Asia Trophy Series in February adds fuel for this team. A team with huge potential, they only lost by 2 points last year to make the final. Under Shirley Russell and Ai Den Ng, hoping they go one better and book a place in the final on Saturday, along with the Men's of course" shared Jake Robrigado Letts, National Teams Head of the PRFU. 

The lady volcanoes will be boosted by the return of Camilla Maslo teaming up with key members Sylvia Tudoc, Ada Milby and team captain Acee San Juan. 

The Volcanoes can are vying for success in the 2017 SEA Games, the Singapore SEA 7 results will be an indication of what to expect this coming August in Malaysia.  

Team Announcement and Match Schedule

Transcom Lady Volcanoes

Date: Friday April 14
Venue: Yio Chu Stadium 
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vs Singapore @ 10.20
vs. Indonesia @ 14.20
vs. Semi Final @ TBA