AS EXPECTED, RUGBY TITLE GAMES WILL BE CLASSIC SHOWDOWNS

By Shania Bulala

With spots in the title game on the line, the top four teams in both the girls and boys divisions of the ISA rugby league battled for the opportunity to compete in the championship matches scheduled for this Saturday at the GW field. 

BOYS SEMIFINAL #1
In the first boys semifinal matchup of the day, the top-seeded FD Friars faced off against the fourth-seeded Okkodo Bulldogs. Led by a strong defensive effort, the Friars swept the Bulldogs 26-0 to officially seal their slot in the championship game. 

The Friars will be aiming to extend their rugby dynasty as they try and pursue their seventh consecutive rugby championship title. 

BOYS SEMIFINAL #2
The last boys semifinal match featured the second-seeded GW Geckos taking on the third-seeded Sanchez Sharks. Both teams battled for the final spot in the championship game in what proved to be a tight matchup. 

The Sharks proved that they were going to put up a fight and even came as close as 14-12 in the 2nd half. The Geckos held their composure and managed to close out the match 28-22 over the Sharks and seal their slot in the championship game. 

Boys Championship Game: The boys rugby championship game is officially set between the Father Duenas Friars and the George Washington Geckos, scheduled for this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at the GW field. 

With both teams entering the match undefeated, this showdown is shaping up to be a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s championship game. 

GIRLS SEMIFINAL #1

The top-seeded Notre Dame Royals secured their place in the championship after defeating the Guam High Panthers 22–5 in the first girls semifinal match of the evening. 

The Royals entered the semis with an advantage after earning an automatic place into the top four, allowing them to bypass the quarterfinal matches that were also played earlier in the day. The Royals capitalized on the extra rest and controlled the match to advance to Saturday’s title game.

GIRLS SEMIFINAL #2

The most thrilling game of the evening featured the second-seeded Academy Cougars and third-seeded Southern Dolphins. 

The Dolphins struck first and came out strong in the opening half, but the Cougars responded and managed to reclaim the lead just before halftime, taking a narrow 14–12 advantage. 

The second half remained a back-and-forth battle as both teams traded leads and eventually ended the second half tied at 19–19, forcing a sudden-death overtime.

In the extra five minutes, Cougars’ Alexia Sevilla managed to break free from the Dolphins’ defense and made a huge run into the try zone to seal the dramatic 24–19 victory and punch her team’s ticket to the championship game. 

Girls Championship Game: The girls rugby championship game is now set between the Royals and the Cougars who are scheduled to play this Saturday at 12 pm at the GW Field.

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