Phl Volcanoes vow victory over Sri Lankan rugby side

MANILA, Philippines - Relying heavily on its own “Band of Brothers,” the Philippine Volcanoes face Sri Lanka today in a match that could carry the country to greater heights in the field of rugby.

The Volcanoes will go into the 5 p.m. match riding the crest of two sensational victories over Singapore and Chinese Taipei at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

A third win will mean a lot for the Volcanoes because it will push them to the 2013 HSBC Asian 5 Nations Championship, where no Philippine team had gone before.

It’s where the competition gets tougher, where the Volcanoes, made up of Filipino-blooded hunks, will have to play four matches in five weeks, two of them overseas.

In this year’s Top 5 roster are Japan, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and Korea. Like in soccer, these are the teams that look down on the Philippines.

At stake in the Top 5 is the Asian slot to the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

But to get there, the Volcanoes should get past Sri Lanka today, and it won’t be easy because Sri Lanka had already been to the Top 5, considered as the premier division.

The Volcanoes will have to rely once more on siblings Michael and Jake Letts, Oliver and Matt Saunders, and Joe and Luke Matthews, and the rest of the hardy crew.

This set of siblings, just similar to the Younghusbands (Phil and James) and Garridos (Angel and Juani) of the popular Philippine Azkals, has always been there to deliver as well.

“It is great that we have been able to produce so much for the team but our work isn’t finished yet. What counts is tomorrow’s match versus Sri Lanka,” said Joe Matthews.