Phl Volcanoes prime up for Asiad in HK tilt

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Volcanoes crank up its buildup for the Incheon Asian Games by competing in the Hong Kong Asian Sevens from Aug. 23-24 in Happy Valley.

Volcanoes coach Geoff Alley and captain Jake Letts expressed confidence the squad will perform to expectations in the Hong Kong tourney, which serves as the kickoff leg of the annual Asian Sevens Series.

“I am pleasantly surprised at how quickly and how well the boys (foreign-based and Phl-based) are coming along. I’m looking forward to leading the Volcanoes into the Hong Kong leg of the Asian 7s series and I’m confident we can do the country proud. We have trained exceptionally well so far and have risen to another level” said Alley, a staff coach at the International Rugby Academy New Zealand and a former New Zealand Sevens and USA Eagles player.

“The team is looking forward to putting in a strong performance in the first leg of the Asian Sevens Series. Training camp has been very positive especially with our new head coach. In the space of five days the team has come together tremendously well and the new players have adapted quickly,” said Letts, a veteran of the Rugby World Cup Sevens.

Joining Letts in the tourney are Vincent Amar Young,  Timothy Bweheni, Kenneth Capinpin Stern, Rupert Dian Zappia, Gareth dela Rosa Holgate, Sean Celada Lynch, Ned Plarizan Stephenson, Andrew Penaflorida Wolff, Robert Amalay Jones, Jason Celada Lynch, and Chris Alamil Everingham.

The Volcanoes will also take part in the Malaysia Sevens slated Sept.  6-7 in Kuala Lumpur before carrying the country’s colors in the Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 Asiad in Incheon, South Korea.

Their female counterparts, the Lady Volcanoes will be as busy in their own Asian Sevens competitions in Hong Kong and Beijing.

Called up for the HK-bound team coached by Susan Konstanty are skipper Tammy Fletcher, Luisa Jordan, Melanie Umali, Sylvia Tudoc, Acee San Juan, Dixie Yu, Helena Indigne, Michelle Marki, Kaye Honoras, Rassiel Sales, Rose de la Cruz, Madille Salinas.