Lady Volcanoes vie in Asia rugby

MANILA, Philippines — After the men’s team’s podium finish in the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, it’s the turn of the Philippine Lady Volcanoes to try to make their mark in the international scene as they vie in the Asia Rugby Women’s Sevens Trophy this weekend at Panaga Club in Seria, Brunei Darrussalam.

The Lady Volcanoes kick off their campaign in Pool B today against Uzbekistan, Pakistan and India before wrapping up their elims slate against Nepal Sunday, aiming for victories to make it to the medal rounds of the meet, which serves as qualifiers for the main tourney, the 2019 the Asia Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.

Rassiel Salas and Sylvia Tudoc of Santos Knights, Dixie Yu and Madille Salinas of Cebu, Acee San Juan of Eagles RFC and Alumi Uno of Makati Chiefs are expected to lead the Lady Volcanoes, who also look to gain experience and finetune their plays in the Trophy as they gear up for next year’s Southeast Asian Games on home soil.

Philippine Rugby general manager Jake Letts said the Filipinas’ stint in Brunei sustains the gains women’s rugby has made lately. Last June, in their comeback stint in the Asia Rugby Championship Division 1, the Pinay lady ruggers took the silver.

“Women’s Rugby in the Philippines has made some positive strides in the last 12 months. We recently competed in the ARC in June, a first time since 2012, and our National Youth Team competed in the Youth Olympic Qualifiers late last year, two tournaments that usually were not in our international calendar,  thanks to the PRFU, our sponsors and the PSC,” said Letts.