Volcanoes split games, enter quarters

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Volcanoes split their assignments in pool play, beating host China, 21-19, and giving Asian Games champion Japan a big scare before yielding a 19-21 loss, as they barged into the Cup quarterfinals of the Beijing Sevens Saturday.

Unfazed by their opponents’ homefield edge, the Volcanoes stamped their class on the Chinese with Alex Aronson, Andrew Wolff and Harry Morris making the tries and Gaz Holgate converting each time for a fiery start in Pool D.

The Volcanoes had actually repeated over the Chinese, whom they also defeated in the fifth-place match in the last Incheon Asiad (28-21).

Boosted by this first-game result, the Pinoys later took on powerhouse Japan with added fire and even had the fancied Japanese on the back-foot with a 12-7 lead at the half.

Japan actually opened scoring via Makoto Kato’s try and Dai Kasaji’s conversion but Phl equalized courtesy of Wolff and Holgate.

Following it up, Morris touched down beneath the post as the Volcanoes took the driver’s seat, 12-7. Holgate missed the conversion though.

Japan reasserted its might in the second half with Kato scoring again to draw level and the Japanese converting it to wrest the upperhand, 14-12.

Kintaro Kodama’s try and another conversion gave Japan a 21-12 cushion.

Jake Letts put the Phl closer at 21-19 but the Volcanoes ran out of time to try and complete the upset of the much-favored foes.

With a 1-1 win-loss card, the Volcanoes finished second in Pool D behind Japan's 2-0 and grabbed a spot in the Last-8. The Filipino will gun for a semis berth Sunday against Sri Lanka, which topped Pool B with 2-0.

In the distaff side, the Lady Volcanoes suffered two stinging losses, 0-36 to Thailand and 0-45 to Japan. The Lady Volcanoes will play Sri Lanka in the women’s Plate semis Sunday.