The top men’s and women’s teams will be back in action on Saturday, 25th of June, at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite for the third and final leg of the Philippines Premiership Division Finals the ( 2022 PRFU Luzon Rugby Cup Premiership Division.)
The Premiership Division, which gathers Luzon’s best players, will prove to be an exciting finale for the return of the domestic competitions season, which was delayed for more than 2 years due to the pandemic.
This division will also see some of the local-based Philippine Volcanoes, Rising Stars, and National Development Team players in action.
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In the Men’s Premiership Division, it is a wide-open race among the 4 teams for the overall Premiership title. The SKF Makati Mavericks won leg 1 behind the leadership of veteran captain, Jerry “Slug” Branzuela. The Ramirez brothers tandem, Lito and JR, will once again be manning the Mighty Mavericks’ backs line, while loose forward, Dylan Davies, will be leading on the defensive front.
The Eagles RFC is eager to ride on the momentum from their top finish in leg 2, to win leg 3 and finally secure the overall Premiership title. Philippine Volcano veteran, Tim Bweheni, will again be a steady presence on the field while Joe Palabay Dawson’s quick play-making and work off the ball will create attacking opportunities for the team. Philippine Rugby’s Flying Jeepney, Justin Villazor Coveney, will be back in action for the Eagles RFC after missing leg 2.
With 2 runner-up finishes under their belts, the Clark Jets are raring to finish the mission and win the 3rd leg Premiership trophy. The tandem of Tui Tanielu and Koli Seiuli will again provide physicality for the team. Jets’ triple J – Jonel Madrona, Joemari Rauras, and Jovan Masalunga, will also steer the speedy Jets backline to the try line.
Not far behind will be the Manila Nomads team led by Philippine Volcano, David Feeney. The oldest rugby club in the country will be aiming to finish strong this season and capture the leg 3 trophy. Nomads Adam Baxter and Neil Pickford will be guiding this team composed of a mix of expatriates and local players.
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In the Women’s Premiership Division, the Eagles RFC is going into the final festival day with a secured overall Premiership title, having won back-to-back legs 1 and 2. However, expect a fierce challenge from rivals, the SKF Makati Mavericks, as they aim to finish strong this Return to Play season, in preparation for the 7s season starting in August. The Mighty Mavericks will also welcome the return of Philippine Volcano, Ysabel del Fierro, who will form a solid backs line with fellow Volcanoes, Rara Sales and Sylvia Tudoc. The Eagles RFC will bank on the experience and physicality under the leadership of Philippine Volcanoes forwards, Kat Andrews and Bella Nepomuceno, and solid playmaking from Philippine Volcanoes 7s SEA Games 2019 captain, Aiumi Ono.
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The matches on Saturday will be played at Ayala Vermosa Hub in Imus, Cavite and streamed live on Philippine Rugby and Upstream Sports TV Facebook pages. Only Covid-19 fully vaccinated individuals and those who have completed their Health Declaration forms will be allowed to enter the venue. Gates will open at 8:00 am for all local rugby supporters to join. The entrance is free.
