Members of the Cebu Lady Dragons show their unity in a press conference for the 3rd International Ladies Cebu 10’s Rugby Festival at the Emerald Isle Irish Pub Restaurant. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
THE Cebu Lady Dragons are expected to give their all when they compete in the 3rd International Ladies Cebu 10’s Rugby Festival this Saturday at the Cebu International School in Talamban, Cebu City.
The team is expected to face tough competition as the tournament features some of the best squads in Southeast Asia. Among those competing are Hong Kong, Singapore, and Chinese Taipei. There will also be teams from Manila.
Last year’s champions, Gai Wu RFC from Hong Kong will not join this year as some of their players are preparing for the Rio Summer Olympics.
“Our mental toughness will be our key in this tournament,” Lady Dragons captain Madille Salinas told the members of the media yesterday in a press conference.
Lady Dragons Head Coach Maggie Royo is expecting an intense competition, especially since this is the only rugby ladies 10’s tournament in Southeast Asia.
“This is not just any tournament. This is really a top-level tournament so we will do our best,” Royo said.
The Lady Dragons will be fielding new players, but Salinas and her national team buddy Dixie Yu will use their international experience in spearheading the Cebuanas. Both of them, who are also playing in the Cebu Flag Football League (CFFL), have played in the Southeast Asian Games.
“I trust my teammates, and we will just really need to stick to our game plan,” said Yu. “We trained hard for this.”
The Lady Dragons finished fourth last year when they got beaten by another Hong Kong team Lady Lukris, 5-7.