ICYMI the Philippine Volcanoes Men’s rugby sevens team reached the podium in Korea recently after round 2 of the 2022 Asia Sevens Series. This weekend they return to competition to cap off the series in Al Ain, UAE. 

The Philippine team became a highlight on day one after going two from three, most impressively defeating Japan, the most decorated and successful Asian Rugby team in history. In that fixture the Volcanoes scored two tries to one while adding in some desperate defence to hold the Japanese attack 12 to 5 in favour of the Philippines. A match winning turnover after a dominate tackle from Rafael Julian Phillips secured the Philippines first win over Japan in their 13 years. Another win over Malaysia later in the day secured the Philippines into the top four teams for the finals series.

Day two saw the Volcanoes up against defending champions Hong Kong for a spot in the gold medal match. Hong Kong proving too strong running away 17 points to 0. This result saw the Philippines play for the bronze in Asia, a feat last achieved in 2018. The third place playoff came against Sri Lanka, a team who also played strongly leading up to this fixture, however it was the Volcanoes who ran away victorious 24 to 7.

“It’s a huge step in the right direction for our program, we aim to be consistently in the top 3 of Asia and this is a great result. It is a testament to the hard work and preparation that our team has been putting in on and off the field under our Coach Darryl Suasua. We look forward to the next tournament and trying to do even better this weekend in UAE. We are back in training prepping for what looks to be another competitive weekend of rugby 7s” shares Co-Captain Kai Ledesma Stroem.

The Korea 7s results will go down as a special milestone for Philippine Rugby, not only beating Japan for the first time in their history, but once again taking home a bronze medal in Asia against the regions best, a combined double feat yet to be achieved for the Union. This weekend sees a bigger challenge, traveling to UAE to face the same eight teams on on a different turf. The team will be boosted by some additional recruits to help strengthen the squad and to also aim to perform at their best once again.

“This weekend will be extremely tough in hot conditions, hopefully we can execute and be accurate, and prove once again the Philippine Team can perform at the highest level in Asia” added Jake Letts of Philippine Rugby. 

The national women’s team will also travel and play in UAE, the team finished in seventh place in Korea after a dominant win over Malaysia 19 to 0 in their final match.

The squad looks to progress through the rankings each tournament to hold their position in the top division of women’s rugby in Asia. The Volcanoes were promoted from Division 2 after the 2019 Asia Trophy Series and are now being exposed to Olympic standards of rugby when they face experienced teams against the likes of China and Japan on a more regular basis. The aim of the program to continually improve and remain a core team in the Asia Sevens Series.

"The women's program is improving with each game, this weekend the girls will have another opportunity to play top level teams in Asia to see how best we can compete. Coach Taua'a and Brown have been preparing the girls all week for what looks to be another competitive weekend" added Letts. 

This week the women's will face China, Thailand and Sri Lanka in Pool B. Whilst the men's have drawn UAE, Japan and Korea also in Pool B. 

Round 3 of the Asia Sevens three leg series will be played in Al Ain on November 26 and 27. For more information contact Philippine Rugby via their website. All matches are streamed live via Facebook. 

Philippine Rugby would like to thank the direct program support from the Philippine Sports Commission, Globe Telecom, JML Philippines, Pillar Sports and Fitness First. 

​The Volcanoes sevens teams have been announced leading into this weekend’s round two of the Asia sevens series. The Philippine teams have been training out of PhilSports Complex as they prepare to face the top eight teams in Asia.
 
The Men’s team has been placed in Pool B, they face host nation Korea, a strong Japanese team and SEA games silver medalists Malaysia. The squad has been boosted by the return of Donald Canon Coleman, Harrison Carceller Blake and Nicholas Gaffud Robertson. 

Cavite, Philippines - The SKF Makati Mavericks women and the Manila Nomads men clinched the 2022 Globe 7s Series Luzon - Open & Women's Divisions leg 3 title on Saturday, 22 October 2022, at Philippine Rugby's home ground, the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub. Both the Mavericks and the Nomads were finalists in the previous leg and finished short of the title. However, they proved to be the stronger team in their division last weekend with resounding wins against their opponents.​

In the women's division, the Mighty Mavericks team was unfazed throughout the day despite fierce challenges from their rivals. The women in red and white started the day with a 41 - 0 win against the Clark Jets. They quickly followed it up with a 27 - 0 against the Manila Rogues. The team finished 1st rank after the pool games, with a 68 points differential against Eagles RFC' 62 points differential. The absence of 3 of their key players due to National Team duties didn't affect the Mavericks team as they ran away as eventual winners in the finals match on a 20 - 7 win against the defending champions. Sylvia Tudoc made her presence felt all over the field, leading the attack and winning turnovers all day for her team. With this, she was awarded MVP of the 3rd leg.

The Manila Nomads showed consistency and all heart throughout the day to finally be crowned the kings of 7s for the final leg this season. The Nomads started the day with a 43 - 0 win against their fellow clubmates and Open Division debutants, the Manila Carabaos. They followed it up with a close win against leg 1 finalists, the Clark Jets. The match was tied with 3 tries for each team. However, two converted kicks gave the edge to the Nomads and guaranteed them a place in the semi finals. They had the tough match up to face defending champions, the Eagles RFC, in the semis but came away as 21 - 5 winners. In the finals, the Nomads faced a young Mavericks side. After 14 minutes of play, the men in green and white came away as winners with a 19 - 10 win against their opponent. Scott Freebairn of Manila Nomads was awarded the MVP for the division.

The Philippine Rugby Football Union would like to thank all teams who competed throughout the season. A big thanks as well to all the supporters who came out to cheer for their teams. This season wouldn't be possible without the support of title sponsor, Globe Telecom. We look forward to the Philippine Schools & Youth League (PSYL) next month and the domestic 15s season kicking off in February 2023.

The Philippine Volcanoes national 7s teams have been announced for this weekends first round of the 2022 Asia Sevens Series in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Volcanoes have been put through their last short and intense training week by their national coaches to prepare for the top teams in Asia.

“Our coaches Darryl, Fitz and Andy have had a busy week selecting and preparing their Top 12. It’s been twelve months since our national athletes have played the top Asian teams, it’s going to be exciting to see them take the field again in Thailand, which will be the first of three legs” says Jake Letts, General Manager for Performance for Philippine Rugby.

The Volcanoes women’s team have been grouped into Pool A alongside Japan, Kazakhstan and Thailand while the men’s have been grouped to play Hong Kong, China and UAE.

Coaches Fitz Taua’a and Andy Brown have named experienced members SEA Games silver medalists Helena Indigne, Aiumi Ono and Rassiel Sales in the team as well as investing in youth, naming debutants Janie Puig and Bhea Estacia into their first tournament after a strong local season for the SKF Mavericks. For the Men’s SEA Games gold medalist Tommy Kalaw Gilbert will Co-Captain the team with Kai Ledesma Stroem of the Manila Nomads. Rafael Philipps will make his debut after being recruited from the United Kingdom with Clark Jet Jonel Madrona also earning his selection into the Top 12 for the Volcanoes.

It’s been eight years since both programs have competed together on the Asian Sevens Series across three legs, the women’s earning their position into the Top 8 after winning gold in 2019 in Division 2. This result promoted the women’s program into the top division to join the men's program and compete across the three tournaments in Thailand, Korea and UAE.

“Some very tough competition in Asia, all games will be very competitive and we want to compete with the best. It’s a pathway forward to a program re-starting after the pandemic and we have big plans over the next twelve to twenty four months. We have an exciting team named for both sides and we look forward to an action packed weekend” Letts adds.

All games and the release of the schedule will be streamed live via Asia Rugby and Philippine Rugby on Facebook