Eagles gear up for Rugby 7s finals
The Alabang Eagles set out to extend their reign as the Philippine Rugby Football Union-JML Rugby 7s League’s finals explodes tomorrow at the Southern Plains Rugby Complex in Laguna.
The Eagles defend their Cup title in the men’s division against determined rivals led by the Baguio Highlanders, Manila Nomads and reigning Philippine National Games (PNG) titlists Clark Jets.
In the distaff side, the current leaders CBRE Lady Mavericks battle it out with tough opponents headed by Alabang Eagles, QCPU and Miriam College for the championship.
A total of 17 men’s teams and six women’s squads clash in the final showdown in the Cup, Plate, Bowl, Shield and Women’s divisions, with mainstays of the Philippine Volcanoes and Lady Volcanoes spread out among the competing teams. All players, according to coach Matt Cullen, also vie for possible slots in the 2017 National Volcanoes training squad.
The participating teams in the JML Rugby 7s League finals represented the best of the preliminaries held over the past eight weeks.
Squads from all over Phl like the Alabang Eagles, Albay Vulcans, Baguio Highlanders, Clark Jets and Subic Sharks had traveled to Manila each weekend to mix it up with Manila-based clubs such as CBRE Mavericks, La Liga, Makati Chiefs, Miriam College and QC Polytechnic University.
The quarterfinals will kick off at 11 a.m. while the Cup Division finals will start at 2 p.m. Admission is free.
“Those curious about the fast-paced sport of Rugby 7s and who wish to witness the National Team players compete alongside the best opponents in the county are welcome to watch the JML 7s Finals at Southern Plains this Saturday,” said Cullen.
Rugby 7s is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and is enjoying an increase in popularity and awareness after its debut at the Rio Summer Olympics. This growth has been felt even in the Philippines with the number of clubs participating in the JML7s increasing from 18 in 2015 to 23 in 2016.