Volcanoes, sasambulat sa World Series Qualifiers

NAPILI ang 18 players para katawanin ang Philippine Volcanoes National Men’s Sevens Rugby Team sa 2019 World Series Qualifiers sa Hong Kong sa Abril 5-7 sa Hong Kong National Stadium.

Suportado ng Philippine Sports Commission, ang torneo ay kaalinsabay ng Cathay Pacific HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

Dalawang bansa sa Asya ang nagkwalipika sa 2019. Bukod sa Pilipinas, pasok din ang 2018 Asian Games gold medalists Hong Kong.

“It’s a spectacular achievement for a young Union, we have only been part of the World Rugby group since 2008. So to qualify for the event for the second time, it’s a sign we are playing quality Rugby on the international scene” pahayag ni Jake Letts, General Manager for Philippine Rugby.

“It’s been a long and tough road, we have had our ups and downs like any sports teams. Looking back we achieved a silver medal in Asia in 2011, third place in 2012 and qualified for the World Cup in 2013. We then finished 5th in the Asian Games in 2014 then soon after finished with a Gold Medal in the Southeast Asia Games in 2015. 2016 was a rebuilding year with a lot of players in turnover. We found ourselves again in 2017 with a Gold Medal in the Asia Rugby Trophy Series and it’s proven now we have the talent to be back to our best” aniya.

“The coaches have kept 13 players from the 2018 group, plus adding Daniel Bembo Matthews who was the Captain in 2017 but was unavailable last year due to injury. Joining Danny in selection will be Tommy Kalaw Gilbert who was also one of our best in 2017 but also suffered a long-term injury in 2017. In addition to these two, Patrice Ortiz Oliver returns to the program after settling commitments with his professional club in Japan last year. Plus we have an exciting young Jaime Chuidian graduating from our youth program who will add a fresh new face to the group. All in all, 18 players aiming to secure their position in the top 12 for the competition” sambit ni Letts.