by Mark Villamora

MANILA, Philippines - With its first full-blown XVs season after the pandemic, the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) Domestic League concluded its 3-month-long tournament on June 15 at the PSC Ultra Philsports Complex, Pasig City. 

Three divisions—women’s, championship, and premiership— took home their crown as the best rugby XVs teams in the country.

Women’s Mavericks Sweep Season

It wasn’t even two minutes on the clock when the SKF Makati Mavericks Women’s team executed a smooth passing sequence, with Jas Torio grounding the ball firmly on the try line, marking the first try of the season finals.

The Manila Nomads Rogues then tried to catch up, being stuck near the try line rucking, until Acee San Juan made a fluid pass to Ace Muyco, tying the score at 5-5.

The Women’s Mavericks then scored back-to-back tries from Janin Puig and Jas Torio, both successfully converted. However, the Rogues attempted to gain momentum in the final five minutes of the first half, as Luisa Jordan dotted down the ball despite four Lady Mavericks tackling her, cutting the lead to a 9-point difference.

In the second half of the game, the Nomads staged a comeback, with San Juan effortlessly dumping the ball over the try line during a ruck near it, narrowing the gap to a four-point difference, 15-19. This marked their highest score achieved in the entire season.

In the remaining 30 minutes of the match, the Rogues left no chance as the Women’s Mavericks went into try after try, ending the match with a commanding lead of 50-15. 

The Women’s SKF Makati Mavericks was hailed as the 2024 PRFU Domestic League champions, finishing with a perfect 3-0 record for the season against their sole competitor, Manila Nomads Rogues.

The 10 AM Saturday game concluded with Janin Puig of the Mavericks Women’s Team crowned as the MVP of the season finals, while Jas Torio, also from the Mavericks, secured the title of top try scorer with 2 tries.​

Championship Division

The lineup for the Championship Division has doubled compared to last year's tournament. Pool A includes the Clark Jets Rugby Football Club (RFC), Gorillas Rugby Club, and Carabaos of the Manila Nomads. Pool B has SKF Makati Mavericks Roosters, Ibons of the Eagles RFC, and Braves RFC.

Returning team Clark Jets led the Pool A with a flawless record, securing their spot in the finals by eliminating Ibons by 41-20. The SKF Makati Mavericks Roosters also achieved a 2-game winning streak during the eliminations, dominating the Gorillas with a commanding 70-point lead as they advanced to the finals.

John Eric Cosme of SKF Makati Mavericks Rooster scored 5 tries during the semifinals on week 7, marking the highest number of tries in a single game this season so far.

The Clark Jets and SKF Roosters will face off after the women’s finals at 1PM.

​Premiership Division

Three highly esteemed teams are lined up in the Premiership Division: Manila Nomads Rugby Club, Eagles RFC, and SKF Makati Mavericks. The season kicked off with a fiercely contested match between the Eagles and the Nomads, with a nail-biting 27-26, favoring the Eagles. 

While SKF Makati Mavericks currently top both the women’s and championship divisions, they have struggled to keep up in the Premiership, with both the Nomads and Eagles consistently outscored them even when their stallion’s scores were doubled. The second game between the Mavericks and Eagles was postponed and later forfeited, marking the end of the Mavericks in the Premiership division.

The Eagles remain undefeated with a perfect record and are set to face the Nomads, whom they defeated twice in this season. It will be compelling to see if the Nomads can replicate their momentum from their first match with the Eagles and potentially outwit them in the finale.

Nomad’s Kai Ledesma scored 12 points from 6 conversions during the eight week against the Mavericks, marking as the highest tally in the Premiership division so far. Eagles' Nevirittee Belden also contributed 7 points from 1 penalty kick and 2 conversions during the sixth week against the Nomads.

​The head to head match between the Eagles RFC and the Manila Nomads will be refereed by Asia Rugby Panel referee and Hong Kong Rugby referee, Morgan White on the same day at 4pm, following the Championship division finals. Hong Kong Rugby referees Allen Judge and Sam Chan will also officiate the Women’s and Championship division respectively.

The nearly three-month-long domestic XVs rugby season will finally reach its try line on June 15th for all divisions, with matches scheduled at 10am, 1pm, and 4pm at the PSC Ultra Philsports Complex, Pasig City.

About Philippine Rugby Football Union
The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby in the Philippines. Established in 1998, PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. PRFU oversees various rugby programs, competitions, and national teams, aiming to make rugby a major sport in the Philippines.

For inquiries, please contact: 
[email protected]

A performer and a rugby player

Richard “Macky” Macarayo, a theater actor, dancer, and a rugby player of Manila Nomads, breaks all the expectations and stereotypes associated in his field of work.

Having a public life as a performer and athlete on both local and international stages, he was among those who feared backlash, discrimination, or even loss of career opportunities if he didn't conform to the traditional concepts of masculinity. The rugby community became the place where he could comfortably embraced his sexuality.

​​“No one ever made me feel like I was different. Nakukuha ko nang buong-buo lahat ng support from them [rugby community] and I’m really thankful for that. There are also many allies and supporters who actively work to promote diversity and equality in the community, especially my friends from Nomads, Mavericks, and Eagles. Of course, PRFU has also been putting in the work to create a more inclusive environment for all players, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said the Manila Nomads player, Macky Macarayo.

For Macky Macarayo, being part of the LGBTQIA+ community doesn’t hinder his role as a rugby athlete. He believes that achieves even more as he promote the sport alongside the rugby community, regardless of gender.
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“I think that the level of acceptance and inclusivity within our rugby community for the LGBTQIA+ is progressing because of the welcoming environment [of PRFU] where anyone can enjoy the sport without fear of discrimination,” Macky added.

Women’s Volcanoes National Athlete
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Katrina Andrews, a backrow player of the Volcanoes National Team raised in Quezon City, was among the players who competed in the 2018 Asia Rugby Women’s 15s Championship, where the Philippines bagged the silver medal.

As a lesbian who became part of the Philippine rugby team in 2016, she felt that her sexuality was never an issue or what defined her to the team. She felt that each player on the team only focused on her determination to represent the flag, not on her gender identity.

“I like how PRFU doesn't make a big deal out of someone being gay or lesbian. It's like it's just a very normal thing to be... you don't feel like you have to defend yourself or introduce yourself as a lesbian because it's not the only thing that defines you. They see you as a player or human, just like everyone else, there's no gender divide. I think that's how you know it's a safe community when it's not even a big deal,” said women’s volcanoes national team, Katrina Andrews.

Katrina felt she was in the right place, as the women’s team always made her feel comfortable being herself. She believes that her gender identity hasn’t compromised her athletic pursuits because of the supportive community of the Philippine rugby.
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She also left a message to all the lesbian athletes, saying, “Just be yourself. Being part of the LGBTQ[IA+] community shouldn't limit your athletic dreams. And if you do want to try rugby out, do know that the rugby community is a very open space for us to be part of.”

​The Physiotherapist of PRFU

Steph Yee has been the longest-serving physiotherapist and medical consultant of the Philippine Volcanoes National Team, working for PRFU for almost 11 years now.

It was never an easy path for Steph back then as he decided to have his medical transition in 2015. The PRFU stood by Steph throughout this journey as he transitioned from the body he was born with into a man where he is today. 
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“Ada [PRFU President] has always been supportive. They’re one of the most supportive groups that I’ve ever encountered… They were the first people to ask me if I would want to have my pronouns changed in the way they address me,” said PRFU Physiotherapist, Steph Yee.

Along the way as he works with the PRFU, there was never an instance where he felt like he had to come out or introduce himself as a trans man. He met a lot of new faces in the growing community of Philippine Rugby, and the need to introduce his identity was never an issue.

Though there were still people who saw him as a woman, he never disliked those people. He also never hated who he was before. He realized, that as long as you are good at what you do, gender becomes no longer an issue.

“With rugby, I never actually been.. I’ve never felt discriminated, whether it is local or international. I have been receiving much respect, as a person and medical consultant,” Steph added.

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Whether it’s the bisexual youngest coach of Davao Durians, a gay rugby player living a public life as an artist, a lesbian Volcanoes national athlete, or a trans man physiotherapist, all of them are valued and respected in the Philippine Rugby community. They all believe that the safe space that was fostered by the PRFU has helped them to become the selves they are today and were meant to be.