PUNTIRYA ng Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) ang dalawang ginto sa 30th Southeast Asian Games na gaganapin sa bansa sa Nobyembre 30-Disyembre 11.
Nakalinya ang mga international tournament kapwa para sa men’s at women’s teams bago ang SEA Games sa layuning makumpleto ang kauna-unahang two-gold medal haul sa sport.
Ang men’s team ay sasabak sa apat na torneo bago ang biennial meet, kabilang ang 2020 Olympic Qualifiers sa Incheon, South Korea sa Nobyembre.
“In terms of our preparations, both the men and women’s teams are preparing to the best of their abilities. The more access we have on international exposure, the better our programs will be,” wika ni Philippine rugby team manager Jake Letts sa weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum sa Amelie Hotel Manila.
Dumalo rin si PRFU president Rick Santos, na siya ring chairman at founder ng Santos Knight Frank, gayundin sina national team members Lito Ramirez, Evan Spargo, at Sylvia Tudoc sa session na handog ng San Miguel Corp., Tapa King, at Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).
Ang Philippine Volcanoes ay huling nagwagi ng SEA Games gold noong 2015, habang ang pinakamataas na podium finish ng Lady Volcanoes ay bronze medal na napanalunan din sa parehong 2015 edition ng meet.
Sinabi ni Spargo na gigil na ang men’s side na mabawi ang ginto, lalo na’t iho-host ng bansa ang event sa unang pagkakataon magmula noong 2005.
“Rest assured that we will have the best team in the SEA Games,” aniya.
Binanggit ni Letts ang Malaysia, Singapore, at Thailand bilang top contenders para sa gold. Ang Malaysians ang defending men’s champion, habang ang Thais ang reigning title holder sa distaff side.
“By no means will it be an easy ride to any medal. We’re expecting the best from Thailand, the best from Singapore, the best from Malaysia. But in return, we also expect the best from our athletes, from our coaches, from our managers. We’re definitely a competitive nation,” ani PRFU manager.
