THE Davao Durians toyed with the hapless Kowloon Baba Piggies, 5-0, to emerge Shield Division champion in the 13th Fatboy 10s International Rugby Festival at Challenger Field, Clark Air Base, Pampanga over the weekend.
Davao Durians edged Valley Griffins, 7-5, in the semifinals to set up a titular showdown with Kowloon Baba Piggies.
Coach Blessie Kate delos Santos, in an e-mail interview, said the Dabawenyos continued to stand and stay strong despite earlier setbacks.
"Our boys made a serious comeback with their full commitment in defense and offered their bodies against the obviously heftier teams. They refused to back down defensively and patiently worked on the turnover ball opportunities in the matches that mattered most," said,
Delos Santos added the team dedicated the victory to the victims of the Roxas explosion incident.
She was pertaining to team captain Jan-Lawrence Olaco, junior Durians Uldarico Bande Jr., Roscoe Hans Rivero, Joven Sarona and Daniel Samillano, Bernard Batulan, Micah Adam Coleto, Jofern Coleto, Stanley Cubrado, Gil Albert Doromal, Archie Elloren, William Leysa Jr., Raphael Carlo Mancha, Ronnel Marko Nabor, Carlo June Orias, Kenneth Osman, Rex Louie Pilongo and Hilton Soberano. Mitz Mercado was the team manager.
Teams that also competed in the festival were Taipei Baboons, Bush Turkeys, Cebu Dragons, HK Pot Bellied Pigs, Manila Hapons, CBRE Mavericks, Baguio Highlanders, Manila Nomads, NCC Asian, Baabaric Rams, HKFC Expendables, Port Moresby Fiss Pots, Clark Jets, Albay Vulcans and Kowloon Baba Piggies.
Delos Santos thanked Pot Bellied Pigs RFC Hong Kong, Ateneo de Davao University, SOS Children's Village Davao, Mindanao Rugby Football Development Inc., City Government of Davao, Overgaard Facade Systems DHL and VoxPop Davao.
