PSC warns: Take PNG seriously

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Volcanoes hope to match their historic feat in the Rugby 7s World Cup in Russia last year with a breakthrough stint in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

And the country’s rugby team will need no less than a silver-medal performance in the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, to pull it off.

Fullback and former team captain Jake Letts said the Volcanoes are now gearing up for the Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 continental Games by competing in the ongoing 2014 Asian 5 Nations tournament and a pair of Asian 7s meets in the runup to Incheon.

“It’s a great opportunity to go to the Olympics. In terms of preparation, we have the responsibility to stay in shape throughout the year and that’s one of the challenges that we’re facing,” said the 31-year-old Filipino-Australian.

“The performance of the Volcanoes will definitely improve in the next few weeks,” he added. They recently lost to heavyweights Hong Kong, 108-0, and Japan, 99-10.