RP ladies out to impress in Asian 7s

The Philippine Rugby Football Union hopes that the success it has achieved in men’s play will carry over to the women’s side.

The RP women’s team leaves for Guangzhou today to see action in the Asian Rugby Football Union Ladies’ Seven Championship on July 24 and 25.

The 14-nation event is the maiden international tournament of the squad that was formed just a few months ago, and officials are targeting a modest sixth-place finish.

“We will be an unknown quantity and a top-six finish will be a great success for us,” said national women’s coach Matt Cullen, whose squad will be bolstered by two United States-based players and another standout from Sydney.

The team is composed of Dyesebel Diaz, Nikki Lara, Aiumi Ono, sisters Trixie and Margarita Pacis, Beekay Santos, Manila Santos, Isabela Silva, New York-based Jackie Finlan and Rosette Rough, Syndee Storey from Sydney and China-based Alana Padilla.

“The players based abroad lifts the team’s profile,” said Cullen.

The men’s team, also known as the Philippine Volcanoes, came out of nowhere early this year to gain promotion to Division 1 in the Asian level.

The squad has gone unbeaten in the last three years.

Cullen and PRFU board member Leslie Stokes are convinced that the women’s team can also replicate the success of the men.

“We shocked everyone in the men’s division and we’re determined to make the same impact with the women’s squad,” said Stokes.