The Philippine Rugby Football Union would like to congratulate to the following players selected in the Globe 7s National Training Pool. 

The Globe 7s National Training Pool will train together each Tuesday and Thursday night in Manila for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games and Asia Sevens Series to be held in August, September and October. 

Congratulations to the following players:

Makati Chiefs: 
Justin Villazor Coveney 

Eagles RFC:
Joe Palabay Dawson
Jake Robrigado Letts
Gareth Dela Rosa Holgate
Harry Dionson Morris
Timothy Bweheni
Jackson Junior Pato
Gregory Waki Golmann
Benjamin Priagola Mudie
Manuel Mallari Olondriz
​Masayuki Sekiguchi
Francis Tagalia
Shoichi Kaneko
Shem Bweheni 
Chris Alamil Everingham
Chris Hettel
Timothy Kong
Andrew Wolff

Manila Nomads:
Edlen Cortez Hernandez
Steven Galliguez Near
Robert Jones
Nick Jones
Evan Santillan Spargo
Francisco Guerra

Santos-Knight Frank Mavericks: 
Lito Ramirez
Alexander Norona Aronson
Ryan Santos 
Jaime Chuidian

Clark Jets:
Jovan Reyes Masalunga 
Jonel Olayres Madrona 
Kingsley Ballesteros 
Joshua Golimlim Aragon

National Coach: David Johnston / Frano Botica
Strength and Conditioning: Chris Everingham
Physiotherapist: Steph Yee
National Teams Head: Jake Letts

The Globe Philippine Volcanoes will be eyeing to defend their Gold Medal at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games and compete over three legs in the Asia Sevens Series held in Hong Kong, Korea and Sri Lanka. 
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​Ipoh, Malaysia:

It was all or nothing on Saturday afternoon as the SPI Philippine Volcanoes managed to withstand an onslaught from UAE in the final match of the Asia Rugby Championships in Ipoh, Malaysia.

The Volcanoes had been on the back foot throughout the entire tournament losing key players early in the competition, however a resilient spirit kept the Volcanoes together to finish third in the championships.

The match couldn’t have started any better for the Volcanoes, when a strategic kick from veteran fly half Gareth Dela Rosa Holgate saw a flying Justin Villazor Coveney take advantage of loose ball. Coveney withstood the bounce of the ball beating a UAE defender to put the Volcanoes in front 5 points to nil just 28 seconds into the game.

The UAE lineout tested the Philippines early with Edward Talbot scoring off the set piece. Talbot capitalized on a driving maul 11 minutes into the game with Andrew Stevenson slotting the conversion out wide putting the Emirates out in front 7 to 5.

The Volcanoes set the field alight in the 18th minute when Kevin Sysu Gordon took a high ball under extreme pressure to later find space with teammates Patrice Olivier and a Ned Plarizan Stephenson. Stephenson threw a brilliant offload down the left flank to put Gordon over in the left corner. The Volcanoes took the lead 10 points to 7.

Lack of discipline cost the Philippines a further three points after Stevenson of UAE further capitalized on another penalty to make it 10 points apiece.

On the verge of halftime, the Volcanoes took a gamble by electing to take a scrum on the last play knowing it could be a risky option. The Volcanoes however were rewarded with the decision after a solid set piece move from the backline found Gordon yet again in space using his silky skills with a line break, followed by a kick chase and an offload to fullback Patrice Ortiz Olivier scoring and giving the Philippines a 15 points to 10 advantage leading into the second half.

Both teams showed glimpses of brilliance in the second half. The Philippines got out to an early head start through a penalty goal to Gordon and another 5 points to Coveney. The Philippines built a 10-point buffer, however UAE crawled back into the match through a try to winger Ryno Fourie and two penalty goals from Stevenson after 66 minutes.

It wasn’t until the 71st minute the SPI Volcanoes re-gained the lead through fullback Olivier, a line break by Timothy Bweheni set up Olivier in the left corner taking the Volcanoes to a 31 to 26 with nine minutes remaining on the clock.

With a five point advantage the Volcanoes were in need to close out the match, a drop goal by Holgate in the last 30 seconds secured the match and a bronze medal finish for the SPI Volcanoes.

“A well deserved win to our Volcanoes, I am extremely proud of the way we finished. It’s been a tight campaign, I am so happy to finish on a high and secure third place” shared Volcanoes stalwart and retiree Austin Garnica Dacanay.

​The SPI Volcanoes are looking to finish strong in their final match of the Asia Rugby Championships as they face United Arab Emirates in a playoff match for third place this Saturday in Ipoh, Malaysia.

The Volcanoes have not been able to withstand and convert pressure into points in their first two matches, going down to Sri Lanka in their opening game on Sunday and Malaysia on Wednesday.

"It’s been a tough campaign for us, losing key personnel early in the tournament. Credit to Sri Lanka and Malaysia, they were the better team on the day. We do however have one game left, and want to ensure that we perform to the best of our ability, which I know we can and finish third in the championships" stand in captain Jake Robrigado Letts shared.

The Volcanoes will have to pass UAE, a team the Volcanoes last played in 2013 at Rizal Memorial Stadium, in the playoff match to hold their position in Division 1. In 2013, the Philippines were successful beating the visiting nation 24 points to 8.
 
"The last time we played them it was tough match, they are a new side now and so are we. They have had two close matches in this series also so we know Saturday is going to another tough one" shared veteran prop forward and vice captain Austin Garnica Dacanay.
 
Both the Philippines and UAE have everything to fight for in the playoff match, the winner not only finishes third but also cements their place in Division 1 again in 2018. The loser will be relegated into Division 2.

With a string of injuries to the playing roster, the SPI Volcanoes are expected to keep a similar line up. Michael Estrada Duhig at hooker is hopeful to make a return after being forced to sit out the first two matches with injury.
 
"Looking ahead our coaching staff will field our strongest 23 available, I know the players here have what it takes to win this playoff match. I am more than confident that if we can do the basics well, limit our error rate and play to our shapes we can come away with the win. It’s a new day, we have the opportunity to turn the result in our favor and I know the players will be giving it everything come Saturday" Letts added.

The SPI Philippine Volcanoes will kick off at 2.00pm on Saturday, May 27. Games are covered by Astro, Rugby Pass and showed live on the Asia Rugby Facebook page.

The SPI Volcanoes were on the back foot from the opening whistle during their first match at the Asia Rugby Championships in Ipoh, Malaysia.  

​A penalty conversion to Thilina Wijisingle Gurukandure Gedara put the Tuskers in the lead 4 minutes into the first half. Soon after, unfortunate injuries to team captain Oliver Abalos Saunders and starting half Joe Palabay Dawson further hampered the Volcanoes as they struggled to find any momentum. In the 16th minute Danuska Ranjan Wijekook-Mudiyanselage crossed the white line for a further 5 points to make it 8 points to nil. A late penalty goal on halftime by Gurukandure Gedara had Sri Lanka in the lead 11 points to 0. 

The Volcanoes showed glimpses of brilliance in the second half with a penalty conversion to Kevin Sysu Gordon in the 60th minute plus the formation of a new centre pairing with Ricky Alarcon Kucia and Ned Plarizan Stephenson. Kucia and Stephenson teamed up on two separate occasions setting up try for Kucia on his debut for the Volcanoes. A few minutes later, Stephenson set up another for Justin Villazor Coveney in the left corner to make it 21 to 13. It was little too late for the SPI Volcanoes as Sri Lanka converted a late penalty to make it 24 to 13 at the final whistle. 

The Volcanoes will look to gear up and prepare for their second match against Malaysia on Wednesday. The Volcanoes will have some confidence after being the only team to defeat the reigning Division 1 Championships at home in last year’s tournament. Malaysia however will be looking for a second win after defeating the UAE 36 to 22 in their first round match on Sunday. 

The Philippines will have a rearrangement in the line up with a string of injuries and few slight changes to the starting 15. Gareth Dela Rosa Holgate will be joining the team as a replacement for Oliver Abalos Saunders after the team captain was ruled out for the rest of the tournament. 

"It was disappointing for me, but thats rugby. The boys played well considering we lost both myself and Joey early in the first half. I know Gareth has a wealth of experience and the team look forward to his arrival" shared Saunders. 

The Asia Rugby Championships is still far from over, all four teams still having a chance to win the title. Malaysia just last year lost the opening match to the Volcanoes before upsetting Sri Lanka in game 2 and winning convincingly over Singapore in their third and final match to finish Division 1 champions on point difference. 

The Volcanoes are now setting themselves up for the same road, two must win matches starting Wednesday at 2.00pm against the home nation and their final match against fourth seeded UAE on Saturday 20th May.
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The Philippine Rugby Football Union, (PRFU) has announced its 28 man Seapac (SPI) Philippine Volcanoes squad for the upcoming division 1 Asia Rugby Championships. (ARC).
 
After a recent successful outing against an experienced Singapore national team on April 22, were the Philippine Residents XV defeated Singapore 29 to 17, nine players earned selection into the SPI Philippine Volcanoes National Men’s 15s Team.  
 
“Our SPI 15s domestic competition is growing every year, the win over Singapore played a crucial role for some members into selection for the ARC” commented David Johnston, National Coach of the SPI Volcanoes and Head Coach of Eagles RFC.
 
The Philippines have called in experienced overseas Filipinos to help boost the squad with the likes of Oliver Abalos Saunders, Michael Estrada Duhig and Patrice Ortiz Olivier all returning to represent the Volcanoes. The Volcanoes will be lead by an experienced coaching staff in Stu Woodhouse, David Johnston and former NSW Waratahs Head Coach Chris Hickey.
 
Among the new faces will see Kevin Sysu Gordon in the centres and Gerald Zamora Tulud in the backrow. Gordon bringing in a wealth of experience, after playing professional rugby league for seven years with the Gold Coast Titans in Australia.
 
“This year we have some new players making their debut for the SPI Volcanoes  - the likes of Ricky Kucia, Ned Plarizan Stephenson returning after a stint in the 7s program, Gerald and Kevin also, its always a positive transition when new faces are in the team” shared Matt Cullen, Managing Director of the PRFU.
 
The SPI Volcanoes will be facing strong competition in the ARC, facing Sri Lanka (40) Malaysia (54) and UAE (72) in respected World Rankings. The Philippines are currently ranked 57 in the world. A win last year over tournament hosts Malaysia shot the SPI Volcanoes to as high as 47, however a loss in the last second of the game just one week later to Sri Lanka saw the Volcanoes drop back to 57.

"Its going to be an exciting tournament, all teams are very well evenly matched. The team will start official training camp this weekend so hopefully we can gel well like we always do, get together our game plan so we can be successful over in Malaysia" Jake Robrigado Letts, Philippine Volcano who will return for this years ARC.  
 
The Volcanoes will get a chance at redemption taking on Sri Lanka on May 14, the hosts Malaysia on May 17 and the final game vs. UAE on May 20 at Ipoh Padang Field, Ipoh, Malaysia. 
 
SPI Philippine Volcanoes Squad for Asia Rugby Championship:

Forwards:

1. Austin Garnica Dacanay 
2. Aldrin Deposoy Mercado
3. Masayuki Sekiguchi 
4. Michael Estrada Duhig
5. Philip Benares Abraham
6. David Paz Robinson-Polkey 
7. Eric Cruz Erickson 
8. Ray Conrad Laforteza 
9. Steve Pagtalunan Howorth 
10. David Feeney 
11. Ashley Matias Heward 
12. Chris Anderson 
13. Terrence Javier Carroll 
14. Benjamin Priagola Mudie
15. Gerald Zamora Tulud
16. Edlen Cortez Hernandez

Backs:

17. Joe Palabay Dawson
18. Jake Robrigado Letts
19. Oliver Abalos Saunders
20. Justin Villazor Coveney 
21. Jovan Reyes Masalunga 
22. Daniel Ricky Kucia 
23. Timothy Bweheni
24. Ned Plarizan Stephenson 
25. Harry Dionson Morris
26. Kevin Sysu Gordon 
27. Patrice Ortiz Olivier 
28. Francis Tagalia

Match schedule for the SPI Philippine Volcanoes:

Sunday 14th May at 2pm
Sri Lanka vs Philippines

Wednesday 17th May at 4pm
Malaysia vs Philippines

Saturday 20th May at 2pm
Philippines vs UAE

All games will be shown live on Rugby Pass​ - www.rugbypass.com and on Facebook Live via Asia Rugby