Cebu players to beef up Lady Volcanoes for ARFU tilt

CEBU, Philippines - Eight players from the Cebu Lady Dragons will form part of the Philippine Lady Volcanoes that will see action in the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Women's Division 2 Championship slated on June 14 at the Nomad Sports Club in Merville, Parañaque and on June 16 at the Eagles Nest in Southern Plains, Silangan.

They are Aiumi Ono, Lalaine Albarando, Blessie Kate de los Santos, Jessica Anne R. Filoteo, Marie Antonette G. Gambito, Eloisa Jasmine T. Jordan, Ann Kristine Mae Regner Layumas, and Madille Salinas.

Skippered by Ada Mildy with Cassie Umali as vice captain, the rest of the 24-man Phl squad selected by the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) include Alice Almocera, Amelia Bryere, Rose de la Cruz, Mai Farjado, Nikki Lira,

Nicole Moore, Rozie Morala, Noreen Novero, Reena Novero, Anne Sajorne, Acee San Juan, Angelica Santican and Manila Santos.

They will go up against the women's teams from Laos, Singapore and Thailand.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Dragons hosted a juniors touch rugby tournament last June 2 at the Cebu International School (CIS) field.

Up to 60 players aged between eight to 15 years old joined the fun event, which took place before the JML

15s Men’s League and the international rugby challenge between the Philippines and Singapore.

PRFU development officers Rose Lanticse and Aiumi Ono organized the event. They invited all the new clubs that have already started their juniors program to come out and show their talents.

The kids enjoyed the opportunity to strut their wares for the first time in a touch rugby competition.

In the end, it was the CIS team that won the tournament. Afterwhich, the children were entertained by the Sinulog Dance Troupe from the University of Cebu.

“Rugby is alive and well in Cebu and it won’t be long before the junior players come through the ranks and start playing for the Cebu men’s and women's Dragon teams. It is also a privilege to host our first international game here and VISMIN Rugby look forward to hosting more international rugby matches in Cebu,” said VISMIN Rugby president Simon Hoyle.— with Caecent No-ot Magsumbol