GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
ADVERTISEMENT
Filtered By: Sports
Sports
Rugby: PHL ready to break into region's Top 3 - Volcanoes coach
+
Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.
Matthew Saunders (R) of the Philippine Volcanoes avoids the UAE defenders, en route to scoring the game-clinching try that made it 24-8, Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. With the win, the Philippines remains in the top-flight of Asian rugby, while UAE gets relegated. Photo by KC Cruz
After fighting off relegation and staying in the Asian 5 Nations top five, the Philippine Volcanoes now aim to assert their staying power by aiming to break into the region's top three.
"The guys are ambitious. We fought for survival and stayed up," said head coach Jarred Hodges. "As a group, we have our goals and we want to push to be in the top three next year."
The Philippines lost their first three matches in the competition. Japan (#15) delivered a 121-0 shutout on April 20 in Fukuoka, before Hong Kong (#29) dealt the Philippines its second straight defeat, 59-20, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on May 3.
The Volcanoes then traveled to Ansan to face South Korea (#26) on May 11 where they also lost, 62-19.
Going 0-3 in the competition forced the Philippines to play for the right stay in the division against the United Arab Emirates. The Volcanoes did just that, defeating UAE 24-8 in Manila just last Saturday.
The Volcanoes then traveled to Ansan to face South Korea (#26) on May 11 where they also lost, 62-19.
Going 0-3 in the competition forced the Philippines to play for the right stay in the division against the United Arab Emirates. The Volcanoes did just that, defeating UAE 24-8 in Manila just last Saturday.
Coach Hodges believes that the Philippines' ranking at 56th in the world does not stop the team from climbing higher next year, adding that the team has the chance to perform competitively against Korea and Hong Kong:
"Obviously, Japan is a powerhouse in rugby. That's extremely tough. I think Hong Kong and Korea, in 12 months' time, we'll be proving that we're on the same level."
Staying in the top five is still a big achievement for the Philippine rugby team, given how relatively young it is compared with its counterparts.
"We just have to keep growing the domestic competition. It just takes time," stressed Hodges. "As a union, we've only been going for seven years. Hong Kong has been going for over 50 years and they're starting to see some rewards now, so we just have to be patient." - AMD, GMA News
