The New Zealand Mangatainoka Barbarians narrowly won against the Manila Barbarians, 22-19, at their exhibition match at the International School Manila on Monday.
The NZ team, including a former All Black, several Māori All Blacks and club rugby players, is in the Philippines for a week to promote rugby.
Stifling defense from the Mangatainoka Barbarians ignited an early 12-0 lead, holding Manila scoreless in the entire first half.
In the third quarter, however, the Manila Barbarians’ countered by adapting a fast-paced style that fueled a 14-5 run, slicing the Mangatainoka Barbarians’ lead to three, 14-17, with seven minutes remaining.
At the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, the Manila Barbarians whipped the crowd into a frenzy as they successfully scored a seven-point conversion that cut Mangatainoka’s lead to three (22-19) with only 20 seconds left on the clock.
But the Mangatainoka Barbarians kept their composure with their experience.
“Maybe, it is just experience you know. We maybe know how to pace the game out,” team captain Corey Kennett said.
The Mangatainoka Barbarians countered the Manila Barbarians’ momentum with choking defense that prevented any winning possession until the last 22 seconds expired.
The exhausted visitors paved the way for the Manila Barbarians’ unprecedented comeback.
“Most of us are retired. Our average age is 41 so we’re pretty old. So we start to struggle in the heat, and it does get pretty tough you know,” Mangatainoka’s team captain Corey Kennett said.
Despite the loss, the Manila Barbarians earned Kennet’s respect.
“You have a long and bright future here. You guys played brilliant,” he said.
Alongside the exhibition match, New Zealand Ambassador David Strachan passed over a cheque for P800,000 to the Philippine Rugby Football Union in support of the PRFU project “Rugby for All”, which aims to offer equal opportunities to youths and increase participation in sport.
The grant will help provide rugby training, clinics and festivals in Negros Occidental, to be implemented in 60 schools and provide equal opportunity for boys and girls to participate in an organized sport.