Subrina Richards - file

JAMAICA's female combined martial arts team overcame a shaky start from captain Sheckema Cunningham to sweep the Philippines' nationals 3-0 in the Philippines last Saturday.

Coach Jason McKay said he was proud of the girls but noted that Cunningham faced the hardest test of the trio and needs to rest up after a long season.

Although happy with the victory, McKay said, "If they don't pick up their game they will lose in the Gold Cup in July against the world's top teams."

Cunningham was far from her best after a gruelling season but did well enough to find favour with the judges, handing her team a 1-0 lead, beating Phan Tuyet Nga in the microweight bout.

However, Tashauna Grannum and schoolgirl rookie Subrina Richards dispelled fears of any further hiccups, outclassing the homesters to hand Jamaica their fourth international victory in two years.

There was some concern when the Filipino coach sent out their lightweight Nguyen Thanh Cuong for the second match, forcing McKay to call on 15-year-old Richards, who he had only hoped to use if necessary.

However, similar to rookie Adrian King who rose to the occasion for the male team, newcomer Richards, a Convent of Mercy Academy student, showed maturity in dispatching her lightweight rival for a 2-0 lead.

Campion College's Grannum completed the whitewash, leaving nothing to chance, literally taking Do Hoang Long to school, giving Jamaica a perfect score with maximum points.

"I didn't feel she tested me really," she said afterwards. "Their team is stronger in the lighter weights but their middleweight wasn't as good, as she was so short. It's a country of very small people so this is expected. They are stronger in the lighter divisions," she added.

Cunningham was satisfied with the effort.

"We promised Jamaica a win and we got it. I feel okay about the match although our coach was expecting more. I'm tired and need some rest,' she said.

It was a thrilling night in Manila for Jamaica whose combined male team beat a select Pacific-Asia team, led by New Zealand world champion Carl van Roon, 2-1 in an exciting match.