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Rugby may not be a commonly-played ball sport in the Philippines, but it has a dedicated following from men and women alike. Its touch variant is just as competitive, with its Philippine women’s team will be competing in the Touch World Cup in Australia on Wednesday, April 29.
Natashya Gutierrez reports:
While Philippine sports fans await the fight of the century between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao, another Philippine team prepares for the fight of their lives.
For the first time ever, the Philippine girls’ touch rugby team known as the Philippine Pythons is competing in the Touch World Cup in Australia.
NERICE DE LA CRUZ, PHILIPPINE PYTHONS: It’s going to be great. It’s going to be our first time in a really realy big tournament and we’re looking forward to it. Of course it’s nerve wracking. It’s our first time ever to join but we’re pretty much excited.
Touch rugby is not a popular sport in the Philippines. And it is unlike the rugby most Filipinos know.
There are no tackles, just touches… like tag.
This game is more like the local street game patintero.
Players try to get past their opponents, assembled in a line until they get to the scoreline.
A try is scored when the attacking player places the ball on or over the scoreline.
The team’s players are aged 15 to 29, from different backgrounds. Some are in school, others with jobs, but all have committed to represent the country.
STEVEN DODD, COACH, PHILIPPINE PYTHONS: We have 3 of the girls who have taken time off college, away from their courses, dropped a whole semester in two cases. But in terms of professional commitment these ladies have given for an amateur sport, they receive nothing, other than the pride of playing for the Philippines. their commitment has surprised me it’s been absolutely outstanding.
Because it’s their first time, the Philippines is unranked.
On Wednesday, April 29, they face France, Samoa and top-seeded New Zealand.
The goal? To finish 2nd in Asia, behind Singapore, which is ranked 3rd in the world.
It’s a lofty goal.
They are the ultimate underdog – young, new, with no major international tournaments under their belts, but the team and their coaches are passionate and undeterred, and ready for the world stage.
CHARITY ORTEZA, PHILIPPINE PYTHONS: We’re expecting it to be high level, we’re expecting it to be very challenging. But in terms of what I expect from my teammates I think I’m going to see their best. Even when we were in Singapore, I saw people push themselves to the limit that I’ve never seen before.
Regardless of the results, competing in the World Cup is one step closer to the ultimate dream of this team – to introduce the sport to the country.
CRAIG WISLANG, COACH, PHILIPPINE PYTHONS: I personally think Filipinos are greatly suited for the sport. Filipinos are fast, Filipinos are agile, and they’re not big. Our goal for touch in the Philippines is for it to grow. At the moment it’s very Manila-based, how do we get it out and into the rest of the Philippines?
Fans can follow updates of the team in the World Cup on their Facebook page Philippine National Touch Football Women’s Team.
Natashya Gutierrez, Rappler, Manila.
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