Kalabaws, Mavericks women, Eagles RFC winners of 15s season round 2

Pasig City, Philippines - The Manila Kalabaws (Championship), Santos Knight Frank (SKF) Makati Mavericks (Women's), and Eagles RFC (Premiership) all registered their first wins for the 15s season at the 2023 PRFU Luzon Rugby Cup round 2.  The games were held on 20 May 2023 at Philippine Sports Commission's (PSC) Ultra Philsports Complex in Pasig City. 

The Manila Kalabaws were triumphant on their match against the debuting SKF Makati Mavericks Roosters in the Championship Division. The Kalabaws relied on the size and physicality of their forwards pack as they took advantage of the wet weather conditions. The Roosters tried to answer back with the speed of their backs line, however, it wasn't enough to overcome the strength of the opposition. The match ended with a 27 - 7 win for the Kalabaws. The David's Salon Player of the match was awarded to the entire forwards pack of the Kalabaws for their superb performance and control of the match.

---

In the Women's Division,  the 2019 JML 15s defending champions, the SKF Makati Mavericks, emerged victorious in an intense battle against the vastly improving Manila Rogues side. It was a tight first 20 minutes of the match as both teams struggled to break through the defensive line of the opposition. However, powerful carries from prop Nova Tega, proved  too much to handle for the Rogues as she continued to draw defenders, break tackles, and create space for the Mavericks backline, which resulted to a series of tries. With a never give up attitude, the Rogues continued to fight back and managed to score 2 tries from team captain, Sha Enales, and flyhalf, Jocefine Lareda. The match ended with a 44 - 10 win for the women in red and white. For her outstanding game management, returning flyhalf, Lee Yun Boroy, was awarded the David's Salon Player of the Match.  

---

The Eagles RFC were dominant on their first match of the season against their Manila 10s rival, the SKF Makati Mavericks team. It was an intense and hotly contested 80 minutes of rugby for the last match of the day, with the Eagles scoring a series of tries to have an lead at the half. However, the Mavericks regrouped at the break and scored a quick try  from flanker, Dylan Davies, to open the 2nd half. Lito Ramirez converted the try and the Mavericks continued to fight back against the bigger opposition. The Eagles RFC regained composure and managed to control the tempo for the rest of the match. Final score was 36 - 7 for an Eagles win. David's Salon Player of the Match was awarded to the whole Eagles RFC team for their outstanding performance all throughout the match.

---

The PRFU would like to thank the Philippine Sports Commission for its support in the domestic competitions season and the Santos Knight Frank Makati Mavericks for hosting round 2 of the season. The last round of the 2023 Luzon Rugby Cup is on 24 June 2023 at the Ultra PhilSports Complex in Pasig City. Stay tuned for more details!