Liveblog: Philippines vs Malaysia at A5N. NOW. (The videos are up!)
The third place match between the Philippines and Malaysia is in the main field at Ansan Wa~ Stadium, and journalists cover the game from the Commentary Box upstairs.
I thought the media tent in the auxiliary field was something.
This is something. It’s next to the VIP Box and I have the entire place to myself. No wi-fi, but the very helpful translator has gone looking for a portable broadband connection. In the meantime the staff ply me with drinks, sandwiches and cookies. Apologies if the liveblog starts a bit late—we’re working on it.
The opponents are already on the pitch. Fly-half Oliver Saunders was there first to practice kicking. In the match against Korea Oliver missed a couple of conversions, which was uncharacteristic—at the Division 2 championships last year his boot accounted for about half the team’s points. Apparently he’d had no kicking practice before that match.
Some of the Volcanoes didn’t get to play in the last game—Patrice Olivier, Luke Perry, Rupert Zappia. They’re hoping to be fielded in this crucial match for survival in Division 1. Number 8 Michael De Guzman injured a hamstring during warm-ups last Wednesday and will not be able to play today.
Up in the Commentary Box you feel a little detached from the action—can’t hear the players yelling, the coaches yelling, the supporters. . .The better to focus on the game itself, plus media is supposed to be objective.
In all objectivity may I say that the Philippine Volcanoes are going to win today. Last Wednesday’s defeat was the first they’ve experienced in Asian 5 Nations, and it rankles. I suspect it’s easier to deal with a blowout in which you never had a chance, than with a close match where you had your chances. All the what-ifs play over and over again in your head, it makes you crazy.
Sparse crowd in the vast stadium. At least the Philippine Volcanoes won’t be playing against the audience.
* * * * *
The match has begun.
James Price is the starting scrum-half. He’s more massive than Jake Letts, which should help him hold his ground.
(Video: Catch by Michael Letts)
Michael Letts leaps and plucks the ball out of the air. He gets swarmed.
THE PHILIPPINES SCORES THE FIRST TRY! JOVEN CLARKE! 5-0. Oliver Saunders converts. 7-0.
GARETH HOLGATE FOR THE PHILIPPINES! 12-0. Oliver converts for 14-0.
JUSTIN COVENEY SCORES! 19-0!
AND JUSTIN CAN’T MISS! 24-0! Converted for 26-0! Is it objective to say the Volcanoes are on fire?
Penalty to Malaysia. They’re on the board, 26-3.
Another penalty to Malaysia. The score is 26-6.
JUSTIN CAN’T STOP! 31-6, The Flying Jeepney is flattening Malaysia! Justin we’re going shopping in Zara and I will carry your bags!!! (Somebody call Zara, we need a major discount.) Missed conversion.
Malaysia has not scored any tries. But they’ve been awarded another penalty. 31-9.
(Video: Melee)
Gaz takes a hit and there’s a bit of a melee on the field. The referee summons the captains for a powwow.
Sheesh, another penalty to Malaysia. 31-12.
GREAT RUN BY MATTY SAUNDERS CHRIS HITCH! (Sorry Chris, bad eyesight.) 36-12. Oliver converts for 38-12.
Malaysia finally scores a try. No conversion. The score at halftime is 38-17.
Okay, time to collect myself. Apologies for the delay, took some time setting up the connection. My vantage point is great but I can’t see the numbers on the players’ shirts unless I look through the zoom so I’m confusing myself. And the announcer in the next booth is yelling out the scores—from Wednesday’s match, he’s recording voice-overs.
Loads of penalties are being awarded, probably because the Volcanoes are defending every inch of turf, it’s awesome. (Actually they were due to infringements—everyone being so fired up discipline was occasionally forsaken.)
Photos and video will be uploaded after the match.
Holy crap it’s the second half already.
* * * * *
It’s wild out there! Volcanoes scrum-half JAMES PRICE BRUSHES OFF SEVERAL DEFENDERS TO TAKE THE BALL ACROSS THE LINE! Oliver converts for 45-17.
JUSTIN, SOBRA NA YAN, OA NA. 50-17. This is Jeep’s fourth try in the match. Oliver converts for 52-17.
Safe to say the Volcanoes have not cooled down. The Malaysians are big, but the Philippine players have no regard for their own lives or limbs. It’s safe to say They Hate Losing.
Oh, is it 57-17 already? Who was it? GAZ HOLGATE AGAIN! I look away for a second and we score! No, it’s 59-17 with another conversion by Oliver.
(Video: Centers)
The centre pairing of Justin and Gaz is INSPIRED.
Joven Clarke takes a big hit that leaves him doubled over.
You can tell from the way they walk that the Volcanoes know this game is theirs. At this point Michael Letts only has to stretch his arms out for the ball to plop into his hands.
ANOTHER TRY FOR THE PHILIPPINES! AUSTIN DACANAY! 62-17! Oli’s kick sails between the goalposts for 64-17.
And they’re not letting up. They’re over there by the Malaysian goal, mugging the opposition.
THE PHILIPPINES SCORES AGAIN! VOILA PATRICE OLIVIER! 69-17. He was despondent at not having played last Wednesday, this should make up for that.
Penalty to Malaysia. 69-20.
Pass-pass-pass-pass-pass. GAZ! GAZ! GAZ! 74-20. Joven converts for 76-20.
(There’s feedback up here that’s shredding my brain dammit who left a microphone on.)
JOVEN CLARKE, NOW THAT’S A WING! 81-20. Missed conversion.
By the way every player on the team has taken the field in this match. Bravo.
I’m up here all alone, laughing my head off.
AND OUR FORWARD PACK FORMS A ROMAN TESTUDO AND PUSHES THE BALL ACROSS THE LINE! Try to JOSH SUTCLIFFE! 86-20. The conversion by Joven is good. 88-20 is off.
With that final try the Philippine Volcanoes cement their place in Division 1. Yeah, that should scare any doubters.
Photo by Jegs Certeza, who just saw his first rugby match. You may be wondering: Why does Tyler Perry have two wads of cotton sticking out of his nostrils like a corpse in a Tagalog horror movie? Because in the final try when they were pushing forward the opposing player lowered his head and made direct contact with Tyler’s face, breaking his nose.
In case you tuned in late, THE PHILIPPINES HAS JUST DEMOLISHED MALAYSIA in the Asian 5 Nations Division 1 Tournament, 86-20.
Check in regularly to see the latest video uploads.
Our liveblog of the Philippine Volcanoes in A5N Korea was brought to you by Globe. Enjoy Your Globe. Your Way.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
June 4th, 2011 at 12:20
Okay here we go guys!!! Go Volcanoes!!!
Go Gaz, Joven, Jeepney and Oli!!!
Woohoo, Volcanoes!!! We believe in you!!!
June 4th, 2011 at 12:20
let’s go volcanoes!
June 4th, 2011 at 12:20
Cheering you on, Team Philippines! The scores look promising!
(How are you, Ms. Zafra? Off-the-topic comment: the Federer-Djokovic watch was exciting, too!)
June 4th, 2011 at 12:28
“Is it objective to say the Volcanoes are on fire?” LOL!
Let’s go boys!!! We believe in you!!!
June 4th, 2011 at 12:33
go volcanoes! wohooo!
June 4th, 2011 at 12:37
Go Justin!!! Grabe, ikaw na!!!
GO VOLCANOES!!!
June 4th, 2011 at 12:37
Wow, I just caught up with the game now and already we’ve scored FIVE TRIES? Holy anak ng pinakbet! Go get ’em Volcanoes!
June 4th, 2011 at 12:41
“Sheesh, another penalty to Malaysia.”
NOOOOOOO!!! Darnit those officials!
June 4th, 2011 at 12:53
Go go go Volcanoes! Yehey!
June 4th, 2011 at 12:59
Come on Volcanoes, letts do this!!!
Go Volcanoes, let’s go! *clap clap*
June 4th, 2011 at 13:00
“It’s wild out there! Our scrum-half JAMES PRICE BRUSHES OFF SEVERAL DEFENDERS TO TAKE THE BALL ACROSS THE LINE! Oliver converts for 45-17.”
WOOHOO!!! GO JAMES! GO OLI!
We love you Volcanoes!!!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:05
“JUSTIN, SOBRA NA YAN, OA NA. 50-17.”
LOL!!!
Ganda ng gising ni Jeepney ah :D
June 4th, 2011 at 13:06
52-17!!!!!! YES!!!!!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:06
GO JUSTIN!!!
GO VOLCANOES! Kaya yan!!!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:06
Justin’s really flying in this game.
Way to go Volcanoes!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:10
grabe galing justin, james, and oliver!!! (ang saya convert lang ng convert!)
June 4th, 2011 at 13:11
First the Giants win tonight, then I check in here and find the Volcanoes tearing a path of destruction through the Malaysian team. What a night!
Go Volcanoes!!!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:16
WAHHHHHH!!! GAZZZZ!!! GALING GALING MO TALAGA!!!
GO OLI!!!
GO VOLCANOES!!!
Bumaba lang ako para kumuha ng pagkain, 59-17 na agad?! Go go go Team Philippines!!!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:18
go volcanoes!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:18
go for the kill, guys!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:21
sweet baby cheezits the volcanoes are truly on fire!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:23
“The centre pairing of Justin and Gaz is INSPIRED.”
* wootwoot *
June 4th, 2011 at 13:25
“The centre pairing of Justin and Gaz is INSPIRED.”
Grabe, ang husay! Husay husay talaga!!!
“You can tell from the way they walk that the Volcanoes know this game is theirs. At this point Michael Letts only has to stretch his arms for the ball to plop into his hands.”
Ahahaha, haynorayt?!
This match and live blog saved me from the vocal stylings of our neighbors. Her rendition Celine Dion’s “All by myself” makes me want to slit someone’s throat.
June 4th, 2011 at 13:29
yey gaaaz!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:30
“THE PHILIPPINES SCORES AGAIN! VOILA PATRICE OLIVIER! 69-17.”
GREAT JOB PATRICE!!!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:32
this is great news to wake up to! Go volcanoes! :)
June 4th, 2011 at 13:38
Ang husay din ni Joven Clarke ah! PAK!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:42
“AND OUR FORWARD PACK FORMS A ROMAN TESTUDO AND PUSHES THE BALL ACROSS THE LINE! 86-20. The conversion by Joven is good. 88-20.”
Go forwards!!! Amazing job you’re doing out there!!!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:44
Great game, thanks for the update! How many games does the Philippine team have to play in order to get an IRB world ranking?
June 4th, 2011 at 13:45
Great work guys! Congratulations Volcanoes! Go Team Philippines!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:46
O HAPPY DAY! First Federer beats Djoko, and now our Volcanoes beat Malaysia 88-20! Love it!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:48
Yay! Congratulations to the Philippine team! Will 24 Oras show highlights of the match tonight?
June 4th, 2011 at 13:50
stellalehua — INDEED!!! These sweet victories are <3 <3 <3!
"Try to JOSH SUTCLIFFE! 86-20. The conversion by Joven is good. 88-20.
With that final try the Philippine Volcanoes solidify their place in Division 1. Yeah, that should scare any doubters.
In case you tuned in late, THE PHILIPPINES HAS JUST DEMOLISHED MALAYSIA in the Asian 5 Nations Division 1 Tournament, 88-20."
AWARD!!! Go Josh and Joven!!!
CONGRATULATIONS, VOLCANOES!!! You guys deserve to be in Division 1! We wuv you!!!
June 4th, 2011 at 13:51
Hurrah!
Congrats Philippine Volcanoes!
Next stop, Shanghai. Good luck guys!
June 4th, 2011 at 15:39
That commentary box looks like somebody’s corner office, with a great view of the pitch hehehe :D
Hey, whatchu looking at Gaz? And where’s Matt?
June 5th, 2011 at 10:49
WOHOOO! Congrats Volcanoes!
Thanks Ms. Z for the coverage (also, may I copy the group pic? Will post it in Facebook and spread the word. Salamat ulit)
June 5th, 2011 at 15:26
WOOHOOOO!!!! Sooo happy for the team! Congratulations Philippine Volcanoes!!!
Thank you Jessica! Thank you Globe!
XOXO Gaz & Patrice! Sayang hindi nakasama si Johnnymo :(
June 5th, 2011 at 15:35
jonnymo**
June 5th, 2011 at 19:42
Now that I’ve watched these videos again, I can truly say that we’re looking at the very definition of “Walang Mintis,” right here. If I was in a bar full of Filipino rugby fans, and we were watching this live on television, we would all be screaming and swearing like jeepney drivers at the screen!
June 5th, 2011 at 19:56
WOW!!!CONGRATULATIONS VOLCANOES!!!
June 6th, 2011 at 23:33
Philippine Volcs! Congratulations! Hindi naman kayo masyadong gigil? Salamat Ms. Jessica para sa coverage!