Michael Letts: "It's a must win for us."

(Photo by Roy Afable)

The Philippine Volcanoes are looking to keep their spot in the Asian 5 Nations Elite Division as they go up against UAE this Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila. Both teams are win-less in the tournament and indeed this match is very crucial.

The Philippines have never faced UAE in Fifteen's Rugby Competition.

"Yes, from the team’s perspective – yes, it will be. I think we may crossed each other in the Sevens game – which is obviously a different format of the game – but from the Fifteens’ perspective, it’d be the first time," Philippine Volcanoes Captain Michael Letts said.

Fresh off their game against South Korea, the Volcanoes played such a formidable foe and marked their second straight loss in the competition. South Korea used their size to dominate the Philippines in that match. The Volcanoes didn't get off to a good start which completely hounded them in the first half but made a strong push on the latter part of the game.

"Last week, we travelled to Korea and we came after a good squad – a much bigger squad than us. Much difference when we played them in 2011, we had a really good warm up. Unfortunately, from a game’s perspective we just didn’t start very well," The Volcanoes Captain explained. "We had a poor first half but we finished off very strong. I feel very happy with the second half but with the game of Rugby, you have to have two good halves in order to become one with the wind."

In retrospect, Letts said they had a much better performance against Hong Kong as opposed to their recent one against South Korea but he hopes they won't make the same mistakes again against UAE.

"Obviously, having our first game here at Rizal (Memorial Football Stadium) and our second game in the campaign, that was a very good game for us especially in the first half."

"It was just a shame that in the second half we had a couple of little errors that really hurt us – I think in scoring out of three quick tries and that really put us on the back foot. But we’ll try to rectify that on Saturday night by playing two good halves of football – which we can do that."

Despite facing UAE for the first time, the Volcanoes Captain said their opponents are similar to his team in terms of standards. He stressed however, that the experience of UAE in the Elite Division is the only thing that's different between them. The Volcanoes are looking forward to facing such a team like UAE.

"I mean we've looked at the UAE-Hong Kong game again and footage of the UAE-Japan game, I guess they are similar standards to us. They have been in the top 5 for the last 2 or 3 years, at least – they are an experienced side. But I think it’d be fair to say that Japan is clearly in the top spot in Asia. Hong Kong and Korea are close for that second spot but UAE are actually more on our level of playing field."

With the Philippines on the brink of relegation, it's definitely a must win to keep their spot in the Top 5. Losing yet another match would mean moving down to Division 1. The Volcanoes Captain, clearly doesn't wanna go down that road again.

"We’re obviously, looking to win this game – it’s a must win for us. If we lose this, we fall out of the top 5 and we’re back in Division 1. So it’s really a must win for us, we don’t wanna go back to Division 1."