GIVEN its lofty No. 4 ranking in the Asian men’s rugby ratings, the national rugby sevens squad will definitely be in the running for a podium finish the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games in September, according to rugby chief Ada Milby.
“If we are able to make sure that we are able to secure our best talent and they are free of injuries, I definitely think we are in position of a top three finish,” Milby, the Philippine Rugby Football Union president, said.
The Philippines is ranked behind Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea, which are Nos. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, in the Asian ratings and were all semifinalists in the 18th Asiad five years ago in the cities of Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.
Hong Kong whipped Japan 14-0 in the championship match for the gold medal.
Although the head coach has not been named yet, Milby set that the Volcanoes, as the national team is known, “will be a mix of overseas-based players and local players.
“We have a lot of competitive players overseas who have dual passports so they will be considered for the team.”
It will be the second stint for the Volcanoes in the Asiad set Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 in the port city of Hangzhou
Led by the likes of Fil-British actor Andrew Wolf, Fil-Aussie siblings Oliver and Matt Saunders, Jake Letts and Gareth Holgate, the Volcanoes reached the quarterfinals of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games rugby 7s tournament where they lost to powerhouse Hong Kong 0-14.
They eventually wound up fifth overall with a record of three wins and three losses in a field of 12 teams after beating China 28-21 in the classification round.
