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Photo from the PRFU Facebook page

On Wednesday I went to the official presentation of the national men’s 7’s rugby team at Murphy’s Bar. PSC Commissioner Chito Loyzaga the former basketball star presented their team jerseys. Matt Cullen is the team coach.

Observant readers will note that this is not the exact same team that won in India in June. For starters sevens is a faster, higher-scoring variation of rugby union, and the team is composed of guys who play in the backline. Also, most of the national rugby players live abroad, so team composition is determined partly by who’s available to play—who can take time off from their jobs or school. Also, the players pay their own airfare to Manila.

Ronald Fong is in both the 15’s and 7’s teams. “Aren’t you supposed to be at Columbia med school?” I asked. He said, “I’m missing the first week of school to play rugby.” I wonder how the professors react when an incoming freshman says, “Sorry but I’m going to miss the first week of med school to be on the Philippine rugby team.” The concept is both noble and daft.
(The PRFU treasurer added that a Fil-American team member missed his daughter’s first birthday to play in the Division 2 championships in India.)

The team will compete at the Shanghai Sevens on September 4 and 5. If you’re in Shanghai, do watch them. Let’s muster a crowd, i.e. more than the coaching staff and a couple of parents.

Day 1 Schedule, Pool C: Saturday, 4 September
11:20am – China v Philippines
01:40pm – Hong Kong v Philippines
04:40pm – Philippines v Sri Lanka

For more information, visit http://www.shanghai7s.com/