PHL Volcanoes Captain Michael Letts looking forward to playing against Hong Kong

Philippine Volcanoes Team Captain Michael Letts during the
Asian 5 Nations Elite Division press conference.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

On Saturday, the Philippine Volcanoes will go up against Hong Kong in the Asian 5 Nations Elite Division at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila. This is perhaps one of the biggest challenges for the Volcanoes since moving up to the Elite Division last year.

Since coming off a forgettable match against Japan about a couple of weeks ago, Volcanoes Captain Michael Letts knew it was gonna be a difficult task getting a W on team like Japan.

"Japan – obviously they’re professional athletes – the guys we’re playing against are full-time Rugby players," the Volcanoes Captain stressed. "On the flipside, we do have guys who are playing professionally but most of the guys have full-time jobs – that’s a challenge in itself. But on the fitness level, I guess that’s the reality of it and the guys are really excited we went up to this stage, on the top division. It was gonna be tough but regardless, we’re looking forward to that challenge."

With the team's success and the rapid rise of the sport, it will encourage Filipinos to get into the it and be interested in Rugby. Even Michael Letts is not surprised of the fact that not everybody knew that Philippines have a Rugby team. Exposure of the team and the sport is perhaps the key.

"Every year because of the sport is growing here in Manila; I guess not everyone knows that the Philippines have a Rugby side," Michael Letts explained. "Each year that we are successful, the more exposure that we get, so every year it’s not a given that because you’re from us it doesn't mean you get to keep the spot and compete for your spot – It makes it even better for us. So I think, seeing us at the top division next year; I think we’ll encourage even more players to come forward, to show they are actually Filipino and the same as the World Cup – that is gonna viewed all over the world. So there’ll be no doubt people will be aware that the Philippines have a Rugby side which will bring out more Filipinos."

As Letts mentioned, it's not usually the same lineup of players in the tournaments that they compete in. Each year, some guys stay while some get cut from the roster. In other words, there are some new faces that will be in uniform for this Saturday's match. Sure, the same players from last year are still in the lineup but most of  them fought for the roster spots.

"The core from the group is here from last year. There are new ones as well, there are also those nursing injuries out. So it’s just one of the things that’s last year’s-last year and this year-this year so you do have to fight to compete for your spot, so there’s no guarantee."

It's not the first time however that the Volcanoes played against Hong Kong. In 2011, the teams met in a friendly match but lost to Powerhouse team Hong Kong. Letts admitted that last year was a different team but it's won't be same team Hong Kong will be facing on Saturday.

"When we played up against Hong Kong in 2011 that was, to be fair, wasn’t our strongest side. We did have a lot of guys that were the previously fielded players, but that was more of the developmental side," stresed Letts. "In most of the year we’ve grown in this side of this world. The same guys were involved in the professional environment and a healthy game as well. So we’re a completely different side compared from when we played Hong Kong last time."

With the team ready to take on Hong Kong and perhaps get a W on home soil, the Volcanoes Captain just couldn't wait to go out and play some Rugby.

"Looking forward to the challenge, Hong Kong has been the top 2 of Asia for so long since I can remember, so the guys are really excited. Because we get to play against these caliber of players, that’s what we wanna challenge ourselves. I can’t wait to get out there," An all pumped up Michael Letts said.