by Mark Villamora

​The Philippine Men’s and Women’s Rugby National Teams wrapped up the opening leg of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS) on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Hangzhou Normal University in China, finishing 12th and 11th respectively.

This marks the Volcanoes’ return to Asia’s premier rugby sevens tournament after clinching double gold in last year’s Trophy Series.

Women's Volcanoes

The Women’s Volcanoes ended their campaign on a high, defeating Indonesia 15–5 to claim 11th place.

The team came out firing, racing to a 10–0 lead just two minutes into the first half. Sylvia Tudoc sliced through the Indonesian defense and offloaded to Pearl Kellie, who set up Loramhel Mateo for the opening try. Moments later, after a scrum, Mateo sprinted down the sideline untouched to double the lead.

Indonesia managed to pull one back after sustained pressure, scoring just before the break to cut the deficit to 10–5.

In the second half, Janin Puig broke through two tackles before linking with Jas Torio, who muscled her way to the try line to seal the 15–5 victory. With Rassiel Sales kicking the ball into touch, the final whistle confirmed the Women’s Volcanoes’ first win and an 11th-place finish in Asia’s top division.

Looking Ahead

Both Volcanoes squads will aim to climb the standings in the second leg of the ARESS, set for October 18–19, 2025, in Sri Lanka.

Fans can show their support by grabbing official gear at the new Philippine Rugby Apparel Shop: philippines.rugby/shop

About the 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, the PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. It oversees various programs, competitions, and national teams, with the aim of making rugby a major sport in the Philippines.
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For inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]​​​

by Mark Villamora

​The Philippine Rugby Football Union proudly unveils the final rosters of the Men’s and Women’s Volcanoes set to compete in the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS), hosted at Hangzhou Normal University, China, on September 20–21.

After a 10-day training camp held from September 7–16 at the Athletics Stadium in New Clark City, 16 men and 17 women vied for spots on the national squads. From this pool, only 12 men and 13 women earned the chance to represent the Philippines in Asia’s top division, competing against Olympic-level and professional teams including Japan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, and more.

​Some of the team arrived in Hangzhou on September 17, with the rest of the squad set to arrive on September 19.

Men’s Team – Official Roster & Jersey Numbers

No. 1 – Dylan Duncan Davies
No. 2 – Clifford Joe Dawson
No. 3 – Rafael Enrique Phillips
No. 5 – Richard Nicholas Lewis
No. 6 – Dayton Malachi Marcel Muagututia Kautai Amani-Iobu
No. 7 – Hamish Roland Henry Seddon
No. 8 – Kai Kristian Ledesma Stroem
No. 9 – Jason Cale Schirmer
No. 10 – Ethan Tyler Moxley
No. 11 – Jordan Lyric Sandoval
No. 12 – Jonel Madrona
No. 15 – Edlen Hernandez

Team Manager: Lalaine Joyce Bacus
Coach: Darryl Bill Suasua
Physio: Jun Whei Chea

The Men’s Volcanoes open their campaign on Saturday, September 20, at 12:40 p.m. against Korea, and will also face hosts China and familiar rivals Chinese Taipei, whom they met in last year’s Trophy Series final.

Women’s Team – Official Roster & Jersey Numbers

No. 1 – Pearl Venessa May Kellie (Co-Captain)
No. 2 – Takiah-Lani Buchanan
No. 3 – Dixie Star Yu
No. 5 – Vanessa Cifuentes
No. 6 – Mariah Jasmine Torio
No. 7 – Lauryn Nazareno
No. 8 – Janin Puig
No. 9 – Sylvia Tudoc
No. 10 – Loramhel Monique Marie Mateo
No. 11 – Bhea Estacio
No. 12 – Rassiel Sales (Captain)
No. 14 – Jacquiline Mae Rodriguez Lyden
No. 13 – Aldee Faith Lyde Denuyo (13th player)

Team Manager: Jane Catherine Francisco
Coach: Samantha Scott
Physio: Henri Neville Fardell

The Lady Volcanoes kick off their campaign on September 20, at 10:28 a.m. against Thailand, and will also face Hong Kong China and India, whom they also faced in last year’s Trophy Series final .

Both squads are determined to make their mark in Division 1 after the Philippines’ historic double gold victory in last year’s Trophy Series that promoted them to Asia’s top division.

Following the China leg, the Volcanoes will continue their 2025 campaign with Leg 2 of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series in Sri Lanka on October 18–19, before the highly anticipated Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand on December 11–12.

Fans can watch the matches live via Asia Rugby Live: https://www.youtube.com/live/QwFoyq5AADI?si=xvht_XK-meiOI8-X and are encouraged to show their support by purchasing official team merchandise, available at the Philippine Rugby Apparel Shop: https://www.philippines.rugby/shop

​About the 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, the PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. It oversees various programs, competitions, and national teams, with the aim of making rugby a major sport in the Philippines.
​
For inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]​

by Mark Villamora

The Philippine Rugby Football Union, in collaboration with The BCDA Group and the Philippine Maharlikans, organized a rugby clinic for the Aeta youth at the Athletics Stadium in New Clark City on September 13.

The Philippine Volcanoes National Team dedicated a day from their jam-packed 10-day training camp for this community engagement, a tradition they began last year, before heading into their Asia Rugby tournament.

This year’s program, Empowering Youth, Celebrating Heritage, forms part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in New Clark City. Over 25 Aeta youth from Capas, Tarlac, participated in the event.

The day began with a lecture by UP Professor Florencia Imperial-Sebastian on the Ayta Ethnobotanical Center, followed by a rugby clinic where the Volcanoes taught the children the basics of the sport.

“The Aeta Engagement allowed me to reconnect with my Filipino heritage while witnessing the resilience and determination of the indigenous youth. It highlighted how sport can bridge cultures, foster community, and celebrate identity. This experience has shaped my preparation for ARESS 2025 by reinforcing the values of hard work, cultural pride, and meaningful connection,” said Women’s Volcanoes player Lora Mateo.

Food packs, health kits, and clothing—donated by rugby teams from around the world—were also distributed to the participants as tokens of support.

Through this initiative, the Philippine Volcanoes were given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture and history of their heritage, adding deeper meaning to their preparations to represent the country.
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The Philippine Volcanoes are set to compete in the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series after their promotion to Division 1. The tournament will take place in Hangzhou, China, on September 20–21, 2025.

​About the 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, the PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. It oversees various programs, competitions, and national teams, with the aim of making rugby a major sport in the Philippines.
​
For inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]

by Mark Villamora
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​Pasig City, Philippines - The second leg of the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) 2025 7s Series delivered another gripping day of rugby at the Ultra PhilSports Complex on August 23, featuring dramatic upsets and breakout performances across all divisions.

In the Men’s Plate Division, Gorillas Rugby turned the tables after a tough start. Earlier in the day, the Manila Hapons handed them a stinging 20–0 defeat in the pool rounds. But when it mattered most, the Gorillas bounced back, edging the Hapons in a nail-biting Plate Final, 7–5, to secure the crown.

On the women’s side, the SKF Makati Mavericks continued their commanding form. They swept all their matches in Leg 2, defeating every opponent they faced—including a decisive 20–0 shutout of Eagles RFC in the Cup Final. The back-to-back title holders remain unbeaten in the series.

The Men’s Cup Final wrapped up the evening with the HK Maharlikans, newcomers to the series, battling through a rollercoaster campaign. After falling to Eagles RFC 21–19 in the pool rounds, they recovered strongly to reach the final. On the other side, the Manila Nomads earned their ticket to the championship by defeating the same Eagles side, 21–7, in the semifinals.

In the title clash, the Maharlikans rose to the occasion, outlasting the Nomads in a thrilling contest, 24–17, to claim their first-ever PRFU 7s Series Cup.

With two legs now completed, shifting champions and rising contenders have set the stage for a fierce chase to the overall crown as the series moves forward.

​About the 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, the PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. It oversees various programs, competitions, and national teams, with the aim of making rugby a major sport in the Philippines.
​
For inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]

​by Mark Villamora

​Michaila Alsagon, a youth rugby coach and grassroots leader from Albay, is representing the Philippines at the Grassroots to Global (G2G) Connect Forum in Sunderland, England, from August 17–23.

The G2G Connect Forum is a community leadership initiative of ChildFund Rugby that brings together emerging young female grassroots leaders from around the world to build networks and drive social change through rugby.

Youth coach Michaila departs today, August 16, for a week-long program of activities in England, a country recognized as a leader in women’s club and community rugby. There, she will exchange ideas and strengthen strategies to inspire more girls and women to pursue rugby coaching.

A graduate of the ChildFund Rugby Pass It Back (PIB) Training of Coaches, Michaila is now on her third season with the program, steadily taking bigger steps in this global movement.

Her rugby journey began while she was looking for a part-time job to support her studies. Encouraged by a friend, she applied to the PIB program, which welcomed applicants with no prior rugby experience.

“Di ko din po talaga alam yung rugby sport dati pero naging interesting siya sa akin kasi hindi lang daw sport yung ituturo, pati din daw po life-skills. Tinutuloy-tuloy ko lang po yung application process and luckily nakapasa din po ako nung TOC [Training of Coaches],” she recalled.

Her passion for community building through rugby deepened as she saw the sport transform lives in her community in Albay.

“Naging sobrang malapit na din po sa akin yung program since nakikita ko po talaga na malaki yung nagiging impact niya sa community dito sa Albay, lalo na sa mga players na nai-improve yung character nila through life-skills. Kaya nilolook-forward ko po talaga na magtuloy-tuloy pa yung program at mas lumawak pa siya.”
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In February 2025, during a G2G session in Albay, Michaila was selected as co-captain of her group. Today, she proudly carries the Philippine flag on the global stage as a grassroots community leader.

​About the 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, the PRFU is dedicated to the development and promotion of rugby across the country, from grassroots to elite levels. It oversees various programs, competitions, and national teams, with the aim of making rugby a major sport in the Philippines.
​
For inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]