2017 SEA Games Training Squad Announcement | Philippines Volcanoes

The Philippine Rugby Football Union have announced their 19 man training roster for the upcoming August SEA Games (SEAG). #SEAG #Rugby7s

The Globe Philippines Volcanoes will be vying to defend their Gold Medal in Malaysia as they compete in their third SEAG.

The Volcanoes have recorded credible results in their past SEAG outings. A silver medal in 2007 (Thailand) and more recently a Gold Medal in 2015 (Singapore) where the Philippines went undefeated in all six matches.

“The SEA Games is always an event we aspire to do well in, it was our silver medal back in 2007 that launched rugby in the Philippines. Since then, our game grew dramatically thanks to the PSC. With the support of both the PSC, Globe Telecom and the rest of our loyal sponsors, we look to repay the faith come August in KL” shared Matt Cullen, Managing Director of the PRFU.

The Volcanoes are likely to form the top four and compete for medals against home nation Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. The Philippines however are forced to face tough southeast Asian competition with the unavailability of key personnel from their dominant 2015 Gold Medal team.

“Malaysia will most likely be our toughest competition, however in Rugby 7s any team on their day can win. Singapore and Thailand have also shown that in past tournaments. Its going to be a tightly contested tournament. It will be a test for the Philippines as always however the Volcanoes never back down from a challenge, we have the squad to go back-to-back Gold Medals” Cullen added.

The Volcanoes are coming off two highs, a podium finish at the SEA 7s in April and a Gold Medal finish in the Asia Trophy Series just last February.

The Globe Volcanoes will head into their official training camp on August 5 where only 12 players will be selected to travel and form Team Philippines. The Volcanoes will be lead by national coaches Frano Botica and David Johnston.

The 2017 Southeast Asian Games Training Squad includes:

1 – Andrew Pagalilauan Ramsden
2 – Andrew Penaflorida Wolff
3 – Chris Alamil Everingham
4 – Christopher Baltazar Hitch
5 – Edlen Cortez Hernandez
6 – Gareth Dela Rosa Holgate
7 – Harrison Carcellor Blake
8 – Harry Dionson Morris
9 – Jake Robrigado Letts
10 – Jason Celada Lynch
11 – Jay Volney Ricafort Rouse
12 – Jonel Olayres Madrona
13 – Joshua Golimlim Aragon
14 – Justin Villazor Coveney
15 – Lito Ramirez
16 – Patrice Ortiz Olivier
17 – Ricky Alarcon Kucia
18 – Rupert Dian Zappia
19 – Vincent Amar Young

*Shadow squad players yet to be included

National Coaches: Frano Botica & David Johnston
Physiotherapist: Robert Osborne
Strength & Conditioning: Chris Everingham
National Teams Head: Jake Letts

The SEA Games will be held at MBPJ Stadium, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur on August 19 and 20. The final 12 man roster for Team Philippines will be announced the week of August 14 after the official SEAG training camp.

The article on the squad announced by Philippine Rugby Football Union for their preparations for the Southeast Asian Games has been kindly submitted by Philippine Rugby Football Union who intially posted on thier website Article Source

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