KUALA LUMPUR—The Philippine Volcanoes saved their toughest game for last when the national rugby team takes on no. 1 seed Sri Lanka for the Asia Rugby Division 1 title.
The Philippine Volcanoes fell short in their second match with a heartbreaking loss to Singapore, going down 24 to 28 in the dying minutes of the game.
The final match will be played at Royal Selangor Stadium, Kuala Lumper at 2.30 p.m.
The Volcanoes currently sit on top of the table with 6 points with Malaysia, while Sri Lanka and Singapore are tied with 5 points.
All teams have a record of 1 win and 1 loss going into the final day of competition. Only the Philippines and Malaysia received bonus points for their last performance, scoring four tries each and losing by less than seven points.
After Malaysia’s dominant performance over Sri Lanka, the host nation look to have a favorable advantage playing Singapore.
This leaves the Volcanoes the final task to take on the no. 1 seed Sri Lanka to have any hopes of winning the competition.
The Volcanoes have a 2 and 1 record over Sri Lanka, defeating the Tuskers in 2012 and 2014, before they bounced back in 2015 to take the no. 1 ranking, leading into these championships.
The Volcanoes have a chance of retribution this Saturday with the competition wide open, with a win guaranteeing the Volcanoes remain in Division 1, along with being crowned champions. A loss, however, could see the Volcanoes demoted to Division 2.
“After Wednesday’s results, the competition is wide open. We’re presented with an opportunity to win this tournament. Sri Lanka will be a very tough game for us, but we know that we can win if we play to our strengths and are disciplined. Our team has faith and I know we will put in an effort that our supporters will be proud of,” said Captain Oliver Abalos Saunders
The national Rugby team has been led by the performances of the back row, with Derrick DeGuzman Broussard, Benjamin Priagola Mudie and Terry Javier Carroll spearheading the charge.
All three players will look to once again put the Volcanoes on the front foot and hope to see veterans Gareth Dela Rosa Holgate and Matthew Abalos Saunders outplay the Tuskers in the backs.