CARMONA , Philippines —The Manila Jockey Club, Inc., the country’s premier horse racing club and one of Asia’s oldest, hosted the 30th Manila 10s International Rugby Festival recently at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite, with the Makati Chiefs A and the Fiji Golden Oldies leading the roster of winners.
The Makati Chiefs-A blanked the Larrikins, 53-0, to top the Cup Division, while the Golden Oldies topped the Vets Division with a 19-5 win over the Extinct Volcanoes.
The Albay Bulkans bagged the Shield Division title with a 17-0 rout of the Subic Sharks. The Makati Chiefs-B bagged the Bowl Division plum by beating the Ibons, 19-7.
The Manila Nomads blanked the Tush Burkeyz, 12-0, to rule the Plate Division.
MJC, represented by VP for marketing Eduardo Ramirez de Arellano and Manila 10s International Rugby Inc., represented by chairperson, Claire Barberis, formalized an agreement making SLLP the home of the “best social rugby tournament in the world” for the next five years.
Twenty-four teams from the Philippines, New Zealand, the UK, South Korea, Australia, Fiji, Japan, Singapore, and Taipei battled out a total of over 70 matches – all in two days before throngs of local and international rugby fans.
Field preparations were conducted as early as November, with drainage and additional groundworks also completed to improve the playing surface. The wide tournament space made possible the construction of two pitches with enough area for tents, benches, booths and other activities.
Also, SLLP offers ample parking space, a 1,800-seater outdoor grandstand, VIP rooms and outdoor wash area facilities, making it an ideal venue for the Manila 10s and other international sporting tournaments.
The MJC, established in 1867 and incorporated in 1937, operates the SLLP which features world-class horse racing, gaming, and hospitality facilities.