PHILIPPINE VOLCANOES LOOKING FORWARD TO 2ND HALF OF THE ASIAN 5 NATIONS SERIES

It was two years ago when I first meet the Philippine Volcanoes. The Fila Philippines is supporting the Philippine Volcanoes with their plays against other countries for the Rugby World Cup and now they are again fighting for our country for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The Philippine Volcanoes don’t give up, for the name and honor of our country; this is what I gather during a press con held on their honor. 

After taking on Asian heavyweights Hong Kong (IRB ranking 25) and Japan (IRB Ranking 13), the Philippine Volcanoes (IRB Ranking 56) will regroup to prepare for the second half of the 2014 Asian 5 Nations (A5N) tournament. This is the second year that the Volcanoes are competing in the Premier Division in Asia’s elite Rugby tournament, where the top two teams will win a spot in the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. 

The Volcanoes take on Sri Lanka (IRB Ranking 41) in Colombo on Saturday, May 17th and then host Korea (IRB Ranking 23) in Laguna on Saturday May 25th. 

The Philippines last met Sri Lanka in 2012 during the A5N Division I tournament in Rizal Memorial Stadium where the two teams, both tied with two wins apiece, battled for the division’s top spot. The Volcanoes won this encounter, 28-18 to advance to the Premier Division, while Sri Lanka remained in Division 1. 

Sri Lanka’s entry into the Premier Division sets the stage for another epic battle with the

South Korea will then travel to play the Volcanoes at their new home, Southern Plains Field located in Laguna.  The Volcanoes will be looking to win their first home game this year, and playing at 3.30pm will hopefully ensure that conditions are humid for the visiting Koreans coming off cooler winter conditions up north. 

The A5N series is also the start of the Volcanoes’ preparation for the 2014 Asian Games in Inchon Korea. The Volcanoes are quietly confident that they can compete at the top level in the Asian Games and have received positive support from the Philippine Sports Commission to ensure a thorough preparation. The two winning teams at the Asian Games will qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. The Philippines would love to match their historic achievement in 2012 of qualifying for the Rugby 7s World Cup in Russia.

 The Volcanoes are composed of Filipino-heritage players who are based locally and overseas. Unlike higher-ranked teams that receive salaries and train year-round together, the Volcanoes finance their own travel expenses to the Philippines to participate in training camps leading up to each tournament. It is their passion to represent the country, their brotherhood and love for the sport that has enabled the Philippines to reach the elite levels of Rugby in the region and even compete with the best in the World, against all odds. 

 The Philippine Volcanoes would like to thank the Philippine Sports Commission and the 2014 Major Sponsor JML Philippines and Kit Sponsor FILA.