CLARK — The Philippine Volcanoes swept their first three games in the preliminary round for an explosive start in the rugby 7s competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, Saturday at the Parade Grounds.
The Volcanoes blanked Laos, 43-0; crushed Indonesia, 57-0; then demolished Thailand, 24-14 in their first three games.
Team captain Robert Luceno carried the fight for the Volcanoes along with Tommy Kalaw, Harry Dionson, Joe Palabay, Justin Villazor, Patrice Ortiz, Donald Canon, Ryan Reyes, Ned Plarizan, Vincent Amar, Timothy Alonzo, and Luc Villalba.
They will face Singapore and defending champion Malaysia, which had a similar 3-0 mark today to wrap up their elimination assignments.
The Volcanoes beat the Malaysians, 24-7, in the finals to capture the gold medal in the 2015 SEA Games held in Singapore.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Lady Volcanoes bowed to Thailand, 7-38, after successive victories over Malaysia, 31-5; and Indonesia, 24-5. The Lady Volcanoes will next battle Singapore and Laos.
