MANILA, Philippines?Rupert Zappia scooted home for a touchdown and converted a goal in the final minute as the Philippines staved off a stubborn Guam side, 20-8, to clinch the first HSBC Asian Five Nations Regional rugby tournament in Dededo, Guam.

With the Philippines protecting a slim 13-8 lead, Zappia picked up the loose ball and drove it to the end line from the left corner in the 79th minute to seal the win that gave the Filipinos the Magellan Cup for good.

The Filipino-Australian winger pegged the final count by converting the final goal of the match before the entire Philippine delegation jubilated in the center of the rain-drenched Wettengel Field.

Taking advantage of the extremely humid and wet conditions, Guam charged out of the blocks from the opening whistle by pushing the Philippines to its own five-meter line on several occasions.

After surviving the invasion, the Philippines forced the ball up field and earned a penalty where fullback Oliver Saunders kicked for a 3-0 lead in the 10th minute.

Eight minutes later, Guam equalized when fly half Kepu Katoa converted his penalty kick.

Filipino winger Harry Morris crossed the touchdown line in the 29th minute and the RP Volcanoes preserved an 8-3 lead at halftime after fending off several deep foray attacks by Guam in RP territory.

Some clever running and good support play allowed the Philippines to stretch the advantage to 13-3 after wing Matthew Saunders chalked up another goal.

But Guam stormed back through Sakiusa Vaka, who was driven over the line by his fellow forwards in the 53rd minute. The score was frozen at 13-8 until Zappia?s conversion in the 79th minute finished off the hosts.

The second leg of the HSBC Asian Five Nations Regional tournament is set in Indonesia on July 12-19 while the succeeding legs will be in Qatar and Kyrgyzstan both in September.