Palawan-bound
Ryan suits up for Davao Durians rugby squad anew
FILIPINO-British Junior Volcanoes player James Halasan Ryan will suit up for the Davao Durians anew as the city's rugby football squad leaves today to compete in the Palawan 7s Rugby Festival that will unfurl on Saturday and Sunday at the City Sports Complex in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
The 17-year-old United Kingdom (UK)-based Ryan, who recently arrived in Davao City with British scientist father Edward and Dabawenya nurse Fe, was initially invited to join the training camp of the Philippine U20 Volcanoes team that will see action in the U20 Asia Rugby Sevens Championships slated August 4 and 5 at King's Park in Hong Kong.
But since the national training camp is scheduled to start on July 28 yet, Ryan grabbed the opportunity to come to Davao City and join his relatives Ruel John Manigos Halasan and Daryl Ross Lomosbog of Davao Winchester Colleges, Incorporated and the rest of the Davao Durians in playing in Palawan.
"The Davao Durians is quite a new team with some players only playing for about six months or so. We are trying to expose the players as much as possible and show that we've got some talent in the team," Ryan said during yesterday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at The Annex of SM City Davao. His father Edward and cousin Halasan were also guests.
Ryan, who played for Davao City and won several gold medals and silvers in past Batang Pinoy regional and national Batang Pinoy championships, said he will put in "experience and guidance" to the Davao squad that will be up against the best teams in the country.
Edward said, "Only major teams in the country are sending teams to Palawan."
Halasan, who has started playing rugby football for only six months, said he will try to play his best in the games.
"The Palawan 7s is a good exposure for our juniors. It's my first time to travel for rugby. I think it's a good exposure also for me. Most of us are young and we are a growing team. As a rookie, I will put a lot of heart to the game," the 21-year-old Halasan said.
The Davao Durians is also composed of playing coach Hilton Soberano, Alexander Dalhog, Jr., Raphael Mancha, Uldarico Balde, Anthony Ronquillo, Le Allen Lara and Lawrence Olaco.