Philippines Claim Silver Medal at the Asian 7s Series in 2011
26 September 2011

The Philippine Volcanoes Men’s Rugby 7s team has beaten all the odds by winning the Silver Medal at the 2011 Asian Men’s Rugby 7s Championships. The Philippines entered the tournament ranked 7th in Asia and have beaten all before them on the way to play in their first ever Cup final. The Volcanoes started the day with an emphatic win over the home favourites Malaysia in a heated contest between the Southeast Asia rivals. The final score saw the Philippines win by 28 – 14. The game was played with intensity from both sides and it was the “Flying Jeepney” Justin Coveney who opened the scoring for the volcanoes.  Matt Saunders then scored the Philippines next try to even the game at 14 – 14 at the halftime break. The same players reversed the try scoring efforts in the second half and the Philippines knocked out Malaysia in front of their home crowd to move to the semi final against the powerhouse sporting nation, China.

The Philippines had never beaten China in Rugby 7s and the teams had met on four occasions in the Asian championships in 2010 and 2011. The Philippines knew they had to combat the Chinese speed and injected Luke Matthews into the starting line up to add some pace to the outside backs. This tactic proved its worth immediately with Luke Matthews scoring the first try for the Philippines. The Chinese team replied with two first half tries and went to the halftime break with a 14 – 7 lead. The game hung in the balance until the “Hitchenator” Chris Hitch broke through some weak Chinese defense to score the equalizer just before fulltime. The game finished in a 14 all draw and the quarter final entered extra time with a golden point rule to win. The Philippines looked confident heading into the overtime period and Harry Morris was able to break away and score a try under the posts to secure a remarkable win and put the Volcanoes in their first ever Cup Final at the Asian Championships.

The Asian Men’s Championships is played by the top 12 Rugby Nations in Asia and can be aligned with playing in the Asian Games. It was a remarkable feat by the Philippines to make the Cup Final and they had defeated Kazakhstan, UAE, Malaysia and China on their victorious road to success. The Finals saw the Philippines play the number ranked Rugby Nation in Asia Japan and it was always going to be a huge feat to knock of a team who all play professional rugby. The Philippines came out and fought hard against a bigger, fitter and stronger Japanese team that consisted of three islander players. The Philippines went down in the Cup Final and can be extremely proud of their efforts for  ranking No. 2 in the Asian Men’s 7s Championships.

Philippines Coach Matt Cullen was delighted with the Volcanoes efforts over the two day tournament and explained that “this was only the beginning of winning Filipino Rugby teams at these types of Championships. The Volcanoes have been on the cusp of greatness for the past two years and this tournament has proven that the Philippines can compete with the best teams in Asia. If this was the Asian games we would have won a silver medal for the Philippines and everyone would be ecstatic with this performance. We will now win an invite to compete in the world renowned Hong Kong 7s next March and compete at the Olympic level. Just another challenge that the Volcanoes are ready to take in their stride as they keep breaking records and proving everyone wrong on their path to glory.”

Philippines valiant in narrow defeat to India
Tuesday, July 03, 2007

The Philippines fought valiantly in their second international of the week against the visiting Indian team but ultimately they were out thought in the second half of the game played at the Nomad Sports Club in Manila.

The home side came out all guns blazing and dominated all facets of play in the opening fifteen minutes, a period which saw Ron Pena land a successful penalty kick. Seemingly unfazed by playing the vastly more internationally experienced Indian team the Philippines fronted up to their opposite numbers in the forwards and secured quality ball for scrum half Jake Letts. The three quarter line were also looking confident and the majority of play was in the Indian half of the field. Early in the game a break down the right wing by Philippine hooker Michael Duhig  who possesses a deceptive turn of pace had the home fans applauding and his clever chip ahead was scrambled into touch metres from the line by the fullback.

The Philippines had been forced to make a last minute change to the starting lineup with incumbent tight head prop Josh Sutcliffe failing to recover fully from a fever. His place was taken by Oliver Otterbeck who stood up to the challenge having a storming first half including a 50 metre carry in open play. The whole front row of Otterbeck, Duhig and Dacanay in fact had a great game and can hold their heads high having matched their opposite numbers including the massive Indian tight head prop Manmandir Samra who has represented professional team Mosely in the English leagues.

As the half wore on the sides became more evenly matched and ended with the score at 3-0 in favour of the Philippines. Thus far little had been seen of the talents of Indian outside half Emil Vartazarian an Indian of Armenian descent who plays his rugby in Chennai and the Philippine management were well pleased with the half.

The second half saw a complete change in tactics by the visitors. Vartazarian kicked for field position and the Indian pack seemed to find another ten per cent. In the fourth minute of the half India drew level after Vartazarian kicked a successful penalty. Mid way through the half with the Indian team gaining in confidence the Philippines lost break away Eric Savina for ten minutes after the referee issued a yellow card for an infringement after a penalty had been awarded. The Philippines dug in and the commitment in defence could not be questioned. Unfortunately, it was one of those days where the last pass did not stick and time and again the home side were unable to finish off promising moves. On 23 minutes a driving maul by the Indian team resulted in scrum half Mukarram Faizullabhoy forcing his way over for a try near to the touch line. The kick having been unsuccessful the score now stood at 8-3 to India. Six minutes later a Vartazarian drop goal put the Indians two scores ahead at 11-3. The Philippines refused to lie down and fought right to the last minute with the home support willing them on. Blind side flanker Fred Morris of the Queens Dragoon Guards had an outstanding game both in the loose and in particular jumping at four in the line. Captain Romain Barberis had his usual all action game and led his team from the front. The entire squad were given a standing ovation for their efforts by the substantial crowd in attendance.

At the end of the game Head Coach Matt Cullen said "Despite failing to secure promotion this year the Philippine team have moved on a long way in the last twelve months and with the average age being 24 we will see this side mature into a regional force within a couple of years".

Philippines convincing victors over Guam
Friday, 29 June 2007

The Philippine national rugby team scored a convincing victory over the visiting Guam side on Wednesday afternoon.

Playing in front of a sizeable crowd at the Nomad Sports Club, the home side controlled the game throughout the first half with inside pairing of Gareth Holgate and Michael Letts marshalling the backline and each bagging a try. The first came after a sustained period of pressure and twelve phases of play. The quick recycling of ruck ball by the Philippine side was superb all afternoon. Both tries were converted by Sydney based Filipino Ron Pena. As expected the Guam team proved to be formidable opponents in the tight and only determined defense by the visitors restricted the score to 14-0 at the break.

In the second half the Philippines played a more expansive game which saw numerous sorties towards the Guam line. Early in the half there was an exchange of successful penalties and then the Philippines let loose. First to touch down was flying wing Noel Flowers of the Cebu Dragons club after scrum half Jake Letts had made a crafty blindside break. Soon after substitute lock Justin Puiu of the Makati Chiefs in the penultimate game of a glittering rugby career took the ball cleanly at the tail of the lineout and galloped into the heart of the Guam defense. Drawing two tacklers he cleverly offloaded to supporting flanker Andrew Barbacetto who was tackled metres short of the line. The resulting pick up by Harry Morris saw him crash over for the Philippine fourth try.

The game was now out of reach for Guam but they did not lie down and this typifies the resilience of their players. With minutes to go hard running Philippine captain Romain Barberis scored in the corner. This try was excellently converted by Pena. By this time coach Matt Cullen had been able to give his entire bench a run and there was still time for a little piece of history to be made. Substitute wing Jasper Ching of the Maritime Academy of Asia Pacific became the first player to have learnt his rugby in the Philippines to score an international try, with his first touch of the ball!

The final score stood at 39-3.

Special mention must go to front row players Austin Dacanay, Michael Duhig, Josh Suttcliffe, Phil Pratte and Oliver Otterbeck who neutralized the huge Guam front row and managed to take several scrums against the head.

Coach Matt Cullen said after the game "An excellent first up performance for a new look Philippine team with an average age of 24. We will be a force to reckon with over the next few years. I predict Division 3 rugby for the Philippines in the next three years".

Team Manager Phil Gittus praised the entire training squad comprising locally based players and imports from Wales, Australia and the USA. "They have gelled fantastically and the spirit throughout not only the playing team but the entire rugby community is superb. We know India will be well drilled and tough opponents but we approach Sunday's game with confidence".

Next up on July 1 the Philippines entertain India.