PNG rugby to take place in Calamba

Jonel Madrona will lead the Pampanga's two-peat bid in the PNG rugby sevens.

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--The city of Calamba got the right to host the rugby sevens competition of the Philippine National Games.

The Southern Plains Clubhouse in the Canlubang district will be the venue of the rugby games scheduled for Saturday with the first game kicking off at 8 a.m.

The development makes rugby the second PNG sport to be held outside Cebu. The gymnastics competition will be held in Manila.

Cebu City, the main host of the PNG, had to find a different venue for the rugby sevens event due to lack of available venues.

Nine teams, including Cebu City, will take part in the said event. Interestingly, neither Calamba City nor the Laguna province will participate despite getting the hosting right.

Olongapo City, Pampanga, Palawan, Albay, Quezon City, Makati City, Davao City and General Santos City are the other eight teams in the field.

Pampanga, led by Volcano Jonel Madrona, looks to go back-to-back in the men's division, while Cebu City tries to do the same in the distaff side.

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