CEBU DRAGONS SEE ACTION AGAINST MANILA TEAMS IN RUGBY FESTIVAL TODAY
Cebu Dragons take on country’s best rugby clubs in one-day event Dragons admits lack of practice due to problems with available venue One-day tournament will also have Under 19 exhibition match
Nine times, the Cebu Dragons went up against some of the country’s best rugby clubs in the Cebu 10s Rugby Festival and, despite their best, failed to win the title. They’re hoping to make it 10th time lucky today, when the festival opens on the Cebu International School pitch. The Dragons had one tune-up match against the Southwestern Kings and have also played in two tournaments this year. “We need to cooperate as a team. We need to do what we have to do and support each other in the game,” said skipper Geoffrey Veraces, an eight-year veteran of the club. The Cebu Dragons will see action in Group A, while defending champion Alabang Eagles will be in Group B.
Although lacking training because of the scarcity of playing fields, the Cebu Dragons will march on and defend their turf.
They hope to bring home the crown in the 10th Cebu 10s Rugby Festival today at the Cebu International School pitch.
The Cebu Dragons, composed of a mix of homegrown talent and Cebu-based foreigners, will mostly rely on their fighting spirit and their pride against some of the country’s best rugby clubs, along with a few international clubs, in the one-day rugby tournament.
“We have really no support here. Manila teams are very strong because they play three times a week. It’s very different. We lack the preparation, and we are struggling as a team and a club. But we are going to go out there with our heart and show our Cebuano fighting spirit,” said the Cebu Dragons’ playing coach Noel Flowers.
In the previous nine editions of the Cebu 10s, the Dragons have never won a title despite being the host.
“We need to cooperate as a team. We need teamwork. We need to do what we have to do and support each other in the game. We need to put a little more effort and lessen our errors,” said Cebu Dragons skipper Geoffrey Veraces, an eight-year veteran with the club.
The Cebu Dragons only had one tune-up match against Southwestern Kings, a Cebu-based club composed of Papua New Guineans studying in Southwestern University-Phinma.
The Cebu Dragons have played two tournaments this year and finished in the plate semifinals in both the Manila 10s last March in Manila and the Fatboy 10s last September in Clark, Pampanga.
The Cebu Dragons will be in Group A along with Dadiangas Generals, USPF Panthers, Manila Nomads, and Rhinos.
Group B is composed of defending titleholder Alabang Eagles, Southwestern Kings, Albay Vulcans and USC Warriors. Group C, in the meantime, is composed of the Lapu-Lapu Jets, Paddy’s Pansies, Manila Hapons and Shanghai Dolphins.
The annual rugby tournament also has an Under-19 exhibition match to showcase the youth talents here in Cebu. /