Rugby returns to the Southeast Asian (SEA) games in Singapore, but the Philippine Lady Volcanoes are fighting for more than just the medal in their debut.
The Lady Volcanoes have been active in their training camp in preparation for the games, training as much as thrice a day and bringing in their foreign-based players early.
"It makes such a difference to spend this much time with your teammates," said Vancouver based stand-out Trixie Pacis
Team captain Acee San Juan has commended the support the Philippine Olympic Commiteee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have provided the squad, which is confident of a medal return.
"This is the best preparation we've ever had," said San Juan. "I'm sure we will win a medal."
Pacis echoed her captain's sentiment ahead of regional meet where they will clash against Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore.
"It's just (a matter of) which medal (will we win)," said Pacis. "We're targeting gold."
Recognition
The Lady Volcanoes have been competing at the international level since 2010 and are now able to field a competitive team composed mostly of homegrown players, and yet little attention has come their way.
"We're hoping the SEA games will be the start of it," said San Juan.
According to Pacis, there are still people who are surprised that the Philippines even has a women's rugby team.
"We just want people here to know that we do have a national women's rugby team," said Pacis. "That it is growing and that it is a great sport."
"We're really hoping to do really well," added San Juan. "So that when we come back here people will know that there is a women's rugby team and that we can play rugby."
The Lady Volcanoes kick off their SEA Games campaign against Laos on June 6 at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium in Singapore.
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| Acee San Juan (left) and Trixie Pacis (right) are looking to lead the Philippine Lady Volcanoes to a medal finish in the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.
Source: CNN Philippines
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