CALAMBA, Philippines – Playing true to form, fancied Alabang Eagles dished out a dominating performance in the Cup final and walloped Clark Jets, 21-0, to go back-to-back in the 2016 JML Rugby 7s League at Southern Plains Rugby Complex here.
Greg Golman, eventual MVP Francis Tagalia and Jackson Pato took turns on the scoring end to provide the Eagles the cushion in their successful title defense in the premiere division of the Philippine Rugby Football Union tourney.
Golman put Alabang on the scoreboard three minutes into the match, breaking away in the right wing to reach home, and they successfully made the conversion for an early 7-0 margin.
Tagalia grounded the ball in two minutes later, and Pato later converted for a 14-0 lead. Pato came through with another converted try late in the game to put the finishing touches to the win.
“Our goal was to improve every game throughout the tournament,” said Eagles and Philippine Volcanoes stalwart Jake Letts after another successful campaign. “This triumph is a big boost going to our next international tournament, the Cebu 10s, where we’ll be aiming to win for the fifth straight year.”
The CBRE Lady Mavericks also scored a title repeat over in the women’s division but they had to dig deep and rally past the Alabang Lady Eagles, 12-7.
MVP Sylvia Tudoc and Leonor Boroy pulled through with a clutch converted try in the final minute to wipe out a 5-7 deficit and complete the Lady Mavericks’ come-from-behind triumph.
“We were determined to defend our title so even if we were trailing with time running down, we just didn’t give up,” said Tudoc.
Trailing 5-7 following a converted try by Madille Salinas and Ada Milby, the Lady Mavericks unleashed a final stand and pounced on the opportunity.
Jheeuel Idea drove and dished it to Geneieli dela Cruz who then fed Tudoc for the marginal try. Boroy later converted to seal the deal.
In other games, CBRE Mavericks B defeated Alabang Ibons, 10-7, for the Plate crown while CBRE Mavericks C crawled out of a 0-12 hole to beat Alabang Loros, 14-12, for the Bowl diadem and Albay Vulcans nipped Manila Carabaos, 17-5, for the Shield plum.
PRFU president Rick Santos, HMR’s Randell Carman, JML’s Steve Payne, and PRFU managing director Matt Cullen were on hand to witness the culminating day of the tourney that attracted a record 23 teams.