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Post by cjeagle on May 24, 2011 4:32:09 GMT 8
UC Berkeley. Isn't that the hippie university back in the 70's? Berkeley is described as still populated by many aging hippies, and apparently pot and other substances are readily available.
I don't play or generally follow rugby either but the Volcanoes like the Azkals have recruited heavily from the pinoy diaspora in Australia, NZ and the US and have gone on a winning streak in the A5N for the past 3 or 4 years now getting promoted all the way to Div 1 and possibly the top Asian 5 next year if they win the div 1 A5N championships in June. Winning the Asian top 5 next year gives them entry to the World Cup of Rugby which no other Philippine team has done recently.
Like any other Fil Am, I follow American football more though I am more a fan of hockey and the Detroit Rediwings.
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Post by jimsar on May 24, 2011 10:16:18 GMT 8
Yes, UC Berkeley has its share of people stuck in the 60s. It is still the bastion of liberalism, after all, it was home of the Free Speech Movement in 1964/65. It is also renowned for its high academic standards, and its athletics program isn't too shabby, either. Its athletes won 17 Olympic medals in the last summer Olympics in Beijing. That's more medals than some countries have ever won, ehem, Philippines? 6 of those medals were from swimmer Natalie Coughlin, a Filipina mestiza who incidentally was one year behind my daughter in their small Catholic elementary school. She really worked hard, even in elementary school, waking up early in the morning for swimming practice, etc. (Hint to aspiring athletes, it requires lots of work and sacrifice to be world class caliber.) I also follow other sports, the San Jose Sharks and San Jose Earthquakes among them. Fearless forecast, the Sharks will bite the dust tomorrow. During college football season my Saturdays are mostly spoken for, so I don't dare follow the NFL on Sundays, because that's a fast track to the dog house. Baseball and basketball seasons are too long for my taste, I just catch the playoffs whenever I can.
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Post by cjeagle on May 25, 2011 22:43:05 GMT 8
HSBC Asian 5 Nations 2011 Division 1 Teams 05/25/2011 KOREA After their shock relegation from the top flight in 2010, none of Korea’s Division I competitors should be in any doubt that the new boys are determined to keep their visit to just one year. Hosting the Division I competition in 2011, Korea will be focusing its efforts on a return to winning ways from the team used to being spoken of in the same breath as Japan. Korea will be relying on a cohort of players who play professionally in Japan, such as second row You Young Nam, named to the Top League first XV in 2010. Picture SINGAPORE Under new coach Des Thornton, the Rugby Lions of Singapore are gunning to regain the A5N Top 5 place they last held in 2009. To reach their goal, the Lions will need to get past regional rivals Malaysia before facing Korea, one of the historic powerhouses of Asian rugby on a rebuilding mission of its own in 2011. Picture MALAYSIA Malaysian rugby is on the move and is enjoying a run of strong results after winning promotion to Division I from the 2009 Division II tournament in Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysians overturned a heavily favoured China XV at home in 2009, despite conceding 34 places on the IRB World Rankings to their Chinese opponents. In their opening match at Division I level, Malaysia narrowly missed out on upsetting its number one rival, Singapore, who edged them 22 – 20. Behind a large but mobile pack, a canny pair of halfbacks and a pacey group of locals and Fijians out wide, Malaysia will be intent on continuing its ascent of Asian rugby’s ladder and finally staking their claim to Top 5 glory in 2011. Malaysia will be relishing the chance to amend their narrow loss last year in Singapore as they open the Division I against the Rugby Lions – a match that promises to kick off 2011 A5N action with a bang! Picture PHILIPPINES One of the surprise packages of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations, the Philippines join Japan as the only team to remain undefeated in HSBC A5N competition since the tournament’s inception in 2008. The Volcanoes ascent has been anything but rocky after winning the Guam Regional in 2008, the Division III competition in 2009 and the Division II competition in India last year. While the team is preparing for an explosive debut in Division I, the challenge has grown immensely with their participation against teams of the calibre of Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. Mixing the homegrown pride of Pacquiao with players of Filipino heritage drawn from some of the world’s leading rugby nations, the Philippines Volcanoes have erupted on to the Asian rugby scene. Under Filipino coach Expo Mejia who has worked with the Waratahs in Australia and other premier international club sides, the Philippines Volcanoes will need a perfectly timed explosion in their opening bout versus Korea if they hope to shake up Division I in 2011. reposted from www.asian5nations.com
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Post by wenden96 on May 27, 2011 20:46:15 GMT 8
why not we must improve first our recent NT 's like
Basketball ...we are former powerhouse and because of politicking in amatuer and professional league our NT fell lower and lower....I still believe in our basketball though were short but we are agile.....our set plays is as old as jaworski we need an international coach to train our coach...
Baseball / Softball......our little leagues and amatuers is a former champion holders...recently 2005 or 06 the softball team from bacolod won the world title....but still it ponders me why our senior teams especially in baseball didnt win the asian crown for the last 50 years???this is the sport that needed attention baseball is the 23rd in the world.....and it fits to us no height requirement...just knows to run, bat and dive for the bases....
Athletics.....during the bagong lipunan our athletes is the queen of asia...what happen now....we have the resources poor kids from the province...train them....
amatuer boxing...we have the greatest professional boxing in world...but we have only 2 silver medal in the olympics....
in short why do we need to introduce this rugby team????we are not physically big....example japan always joins on the world cup but they fail to win simple because they are not physically big.....introduce nyo yang laro sa tondo malamang magsaksak na lang sila...hehehe...
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Post by Usapang Football on May 29, 2011 12:04:46 GMT 8
why not we must improve first our recent NT 's like Basketball ...we are former powerhouse and because of politicking in amatuer and professional league our NT fell lower and lower....I still believe in our basketball though were short but we are agile.....our set plays is as old as jaworski we need an international coach to train our coach... Baseball / Softball......our little leagues and amatuers is a former champion holders...recently 2005 or 06 the softball team from bacolod won the world title....but still it ponders me why our senior teams especially in baseball didnt win the asian crown for the last 50 years???this is the sport that needed attention baseball is the 23rd in the world.....and it fits to us no height requirement...just knows to run, bat and dive for the bases.... Athletics.....during the bagong lipunan our athletes is the queen of asia...what happen now....we have the resources poor kids from the province...train them.... amatuer boxing...we have the greatest professional boxing in world...but we have only 2 silver medal in the olympics.... in short why do we need to introduce this rugby team????we are not physically big....example japan always joins on the world cup but they fail to win simple because they are not physically big.....introduce nyo yang laro sa tondo malamang magsaksak na lang sila...hehehe... If we are not physically big, why are we undefeated in the Asian 5 Nations? Why are we considered among the top teams of Asia then? The Filipinos can succeed in ANY sport. All it takes is willpower.
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Post by wenden96 on May 29, 2011 12:35:28 GMT 8
If we are not physically big, why are we undefeated in the Asian 5 Nations? Why are we considered among the top teams of Asia then? The Filipinos can succeed in ANY sport. All it takes is willpower. No offense but look at their lineup en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines_national_rugby_union_teamwww.prfu.com/mens-15s.htmlmajority of this are filipino based abroad with or have other ethnic lineage...that is why there big...and thanks it is our edge...it is not im against totally to the team just a thought what will happen if you introduce it to the people especially outside manila???just curious... japanese rugby team majority are trained locally with a japanese citizen.... Yes we won in the competition, my question what is the plan to sustain this winning record???do we need still filipinos based abroad or we need to introduce it to the locals???
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Post by cjeagle on May 30, 2011 1:50:36 GMT 8
I like supporting Filipino teams whatever the sport. Heck I would cheer the local all Filipino team in our recreational Football or Basketball league or for that matter the Frisbee league if they exists. So why not rugby? This team has brought the Philippines a lot of respect in the rugby world not only in terms of on the field achievements but also on how the PRFU is run as an organization. When was the last time a local sports organization or any organization for that matter, has been hailed by the international community as a model for how to start from scratch and succeed with a limited budget as the world body for rugby union has done in crediting the PRFU? There is none of the political infighting you see so much in the local sports scene including in football which have derailed their respective sports programs. The Volcanoes is on a winning and unbeaten streak for the past 3 years, that has been equaled only by one country, current Asian champion Japan. Let us cheer them for what they have achieved and wish them good luck in this upcoming tournament.
wenden,
Unlike the PFF, the PRFU has organized an ongoing local league that has continually expanded for some time now including to the provinces like Cebu where there is also now a thriving league. Also unlike the PFF, they have organized and trained local youth teams, the future of rugby football union in the Philippines, to send to regional Asian events where they have surprisingly won a lot of games and championships. They have worked in relative anonymity and face an uphill struggle in getting recognition for their sport in the Philippines both from the public and the government, but inspite of all this obstacles they have achieved a lot in the international arena esp. for a country with little history and relatively new in the sport.
Again you are asking the same questions in rugby as you did in football and again if you look hard enough you can see that steps are being taken to improve the local game and the increasing number of competitive players they are producing. Unlike in football and other sports, rugby has only been around for a few years so give it time.
I just wanted to add that unlike the Azkals, the players on the Volcanoes are actually paying for their own plane fare. They consider it an honor to play for the team and are willing whatever it takes to do so.
Here is how one of the players Phil Abraham describe his experience: My selection to the Philippine Volcanoes has been the greatest honor and blessing of my rugby career. The team is a family, a true brotherhood. The players are from all over the world, and we come together and do battle in the name of our people. The bonds, the competition, and the blood we share create an experience that is unrivaled by any other. Growth on the rugby pitch has gone hand in hand with growth in my life off the pitch as well.
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Post by wenden96 on May 30, 2011 20:10:22 GMT 8
cjeagle Indeed my question still the same as the football....i need clarification, and thanks youve given me insight for this matter..... Though my thought speaks differently, im just curious on how the locals will accept this sport because it is unknown to the majority, But it doesnt mean i will support, maybe im just too old to play this one.....of all the contact sport i play, i pass this one.....hehehehe Sorry for the sentences that I said, what im trying to emphasize is to support our team that has been a long time played in the philippines, well i guess time change and mind set of people change.
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Post by wenden96 on May 30, 2011 20:12:14 GMT 8
oooppppsss sorry...
i mean "but it doesnt mean i will not support" not "i will support"......
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Post by cjeagle on May 31, 2011 1:19:50 GMT 8
Philippine Volcanoes Head to Korea for the Asian 5 Nations Div. 1 Championships 05/30/2011 Picture Front row L to R: Luke Matthews, Patrice Olivier, Jaime Urquijo, Nick Perry, Michael Letts (Captain), Tyler Perez, Rupert Zappia, Nick Pineda Middle row: Matt Cullen (Manager), Raf Zappia, Austin Dacanay, Michael de Guzman, Justin Coveney, Gaz Holgate, Chris Hitch (Vice Captain), Josh Sutcliffe, Damian Raper (Physiotherapist) Top row: Jarred Hodges (Asst. Coach), Richard Taylor, Joven Clarke, James Price, Oliver Saunders, Kit Guerra, Matt Saunders, Michael Duhig, Phil Abraham, Jake Letts, Expo Mejia (Head Coach) The Philippine National Men's Rugby Team travels to South Korea today to compete in the Division 1 Championships of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Tournament. The Philippines and Japan (Asian 5 Nations Premier Division Champions) are the only teams that remain undefeated in the Asian 5 Nations since the competition's inception in 2008. Playing with a 100% Filipino Heritage squad (defined as having at least 1 grandparent born in the Philippines), the Philippine Volcanoes will face their toughest challenge yet as the underdogs of Division 1.
Their first match will be on Wednesday, June 1 against tournament hosts, South Korea, at the Ansan Wa Stadium. Relegated to Division 1 in 2010, South Korea will be the Philippines' strongest competition, hungry to claw its way back into the Premier Division. The winner of the June 1 match will face the winner of the Singapore vs. Malaysia match for the Championship on Saturday, June 4. The winner of the Championship will be promoted to the Premier Division in 2012.
It has been quite a journey for the Volcanoes as the sport of Rugby in the Philippines is not widely known or played. Their unprecedented ascension from Division 4 to Division 1 has gone largely unnoticed in their home country, which is just now beginning to pay attention. However recognition has never been the Volcanoes' motivation -- the overseas-based players train on their own, then travel to the Philippines at their own expense, with just around a week to practice together before heading to a tournament. They sacrifice personal time with their families, vacation time from work and school, and risk injury every time they step onto the pitch. Composed of Filipino, Fil-Australian, Fil-American, Fil-French and Fil-British players, they are a brotherhood of warriors whose singular vision and hope is to bring glory to their mother country.
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Post by takernz on May 31, 2011 10:29:51 GMT 8
May live telecast dito sa atin or Star Sports and ESPN and mag-live?
I'm supporting both AZKALS and the Bulkans! Ram their asses to glory!
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Post by cjeagle on Jun 1, 2011 3:38:55 GMT 8
I don't think there is any live telecasts from those broadcasters. You might want to check Korean online websites if there is an online feed. Here is the facebook account where the players post their thoughts: www.facebook.com/PhilippineRugbyStarting lineup for Korea game: Asian 5 Nations: Starting Squad vs. Korea Named 05/31/2011 1. Austin Dacanay 2. Phil Abraham 3. Richard Taylor 4. Nick Pineda 5. Jaime Urquijo 6. Raf Zappia 7. Chris Hitch 8. Michael De Guzman 9. Jake Letts 10. Oliver Saunders 11. Joven Clarke 12. Justin Coveney 13. Gareth Holgate 14. Matt Saunders 15. Michael Letts 16. Michael Duhig 17. Josh Sutcliffe 18. Nick Perry 19. Kit Guerra 20. James Price 21. Rupert Zappia 22. Luke Matthews
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Post by cjeagle on Jun 2, 2011 0:03:24 GMT 8
A5N Div 1 Match Report: Philippines Lose Arm Wrestle vs. Korea 06/01/2011 Picture The Philippine National Men's 15s team went down to the highly-ranked Korea squad by 34 points to 20. In a game that hung in the balance until the last play of the day, the Philippine Volcanoes were unlucky not to equalize the scores at 27 all in the final few minutes. Their missed chance was capitalized on by the Koreans who scored on the last play of the game when the Philippines attempted to attack from their own five meter line a desperate bid to score the equalizing try. The Philippines can look back on a game of lost opportunity with only themselves to blame after committing 27 unforced errors, compared to Korea's ten errors. As a consequence, the Volcanoes were forced to defend for up to 70% of the game and this took its toll, while the Korean team stuck to basic patterns that worked well in the wet conditions. The first two tries of the game came directly after the big Korean forward pack were able to win two scrums against the head and turned defence into offence to take an early lead of 10 - 0. The Philippines had their opportunities but on the first four occasions of entering the Korean half, the Philippines made simple mistakes that allowed the Koreans to diffuse any pressure. The Koreans then won a third scrum against the feed and the Philippines gave up a professional foul penalty in front of the posts by diving into a ruck to stop a certain try. This penalty was converted and Koreans had stamped their authority on the game up front with their forward pack and led 15 - 0. The Philippines then started to play attacking rugby and it was Oli Saunders who placed a perfectly weighted grubber kick through for center combination Justin Coveney and Gareth Holgate, as they both ran through behind the Korean defensive line to swoop on the loose ball. The ball bounced awkwardly and the Korean defence was able to counter attack and ran 60m to score an easy try and take a convincing 22 - 3 lead. Picture As the game wore on, the bigger Korean team started to tire and this is when the Philippines started to rally. It was the Philippines hooker Phil Abraham who ignited the go forward when he picked up a loose ball at the base of the ruck and split the Korean defence up the middle of the field and ran 30 meters to finally be pulled down on the Korean 22m line. It was the first time that the Philippines had entered the Korean half and consequently the Koreans gave up a penalty for holding the ball in a ruck. Oli Saunders was able to convert the Penalty from 30m out in front of the posts and register the first points for the Philippines. The successful penalty kick obviously inspired the Philippines and it was not long before Team Captain, Michael Letts was able to gain some valuable territory with a well waited kick and the Koreans were under pressure in their own 22 zone. Nick Pineda flew high to take the ball in the lineout and Oli Saunders ran to the line and found debutant Joven Clake on his outside shoulder and fed him a well-timed pass to allow Joven to break through two tackles and score the Philippines’ first try. This late try allowed the Philippines to go into the halftime break with some confidence and a respectable score of 22 - 8. The Philippines had managed to stay within striking distance of the Korean team and came out in a positive mood to attack in the second half. The Philippines Vice Captain Chris Hitch struck the first blow when he gathered a loose ball at the back of a ruck and broke through three tackles to run 20 meters before being dragged down, he popped to the ball to Nick Pineda who then attracted another three defenders, Jake Letts was the man on the spot to shoot a quick fire pass out to his brother, Michael Letts who dummied on his outside and split the defence to score the opening try for the second half and reduce the score to 22 - 13.
From this point on the Koreans implemented a strategic kicking game that pinned the Philippines in their own quarter. As a result the Philippines struggled to exit their defensive zone and it was the Koreans who attacked for ten minutes and finally scored on the wing to take a 27 - 13 lead. The Philippines had displayed a remarkable defensive effort and the Koreans once again began to tire late in the second half. Gareth Holgate who had defended magnificently throughout the game at outside center then created a turnover and picked up a dropped ball to run 60 m and link up with his winger Matt Saunders who scored the try of the game under the posts. This was converted his brother Oli and with 5 minutes left in the game the Koreans had a slender lead of 27 - 20. In a last ditch effort, the Philippines threw caution to wind and threw the ball to the first half try scoring speedster Joven Clarke, Joven stepped around his opposite winger and sped down the touchline, as the Korean fullback came to tackle him, Joven placed a chip kick that would have opened the doors for the Philippine attack, the Korean fullback was just able to juggle the kick with his finger tips and took the intercept to run away and secure victory for the Koreans. The final score was 34 - 20 to Korea and they can thank their lucky stars that the Philippines had not drawn level as they had run out of legs and were struggling in the last ten minutes of the game. It was a remarkable effort for a Philippine National team who do not even have a world ranking to push the 33rd ranked team in the world to such a close scoreline. Philippines coach Expo Mejia was disappointed with the Philippines execution and decision making and is confident that the Philippines will win the A5N Div 1 Tournament in the next twelve months. The Philippines must now concentrate on winning their game against Malaysia this Saturday and ensure they remain in this Division. Philippines Manager Matt Cullen is confident that the Philippines will regroup from the loss against Korea and come out to play a strong and disciplined game against Malaysia this Saturday. Best forwards for the Philippines were Nick Pineda and Chris Hitch and best backs were Joven Clarke and Gareth Holgate.
Tries: Joven Clarke (1) Michael Letts (1) Matt Saunders(1)
Conversions: Oliver Saunders (1)
Penalties: Oliver Saunders (1)
This is the first ever loss in A5N competition in 4 years.
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Post by takernz on Jun 2, 2011 10:37:36 GMT 8
Great fight Volcanoes! Sana Manalo tayo against Malaysia. Did the volcanoes played against Malaysia before? (test,etc..)
As Rocky Balboa says" But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done ! Now if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers, saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody ! Cowards do that, and that ain’t you!”."
I saw the game in youtube, iba na pala ang jersey nila. I like their old jersey (with sun on the right shoulder and 3 stars on the left) at madali siyang ma-recognize kung ganyan.
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Post by cjeagle on Jun 4, 2011 13:47:49 GMT 8
PHI 86 - MAL 20 - The Philippines show why they deserve to stay in Division 1.
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