GlobalPort braces for tough campaign at US Open Polo Championship

GlobalPort, the first-ever Philippine squad to ever set foot at the biggest polo stage, will formally open what is expected to be a tough campaign in the US Open Polo Championship this week in Wellington, Florida.

Led by Mikee Romero, the Filipino team is grouped with Clearwater and La Dolfina/Catamount in Bracket I, but they will be pitted against Bracket II squads based on the tough tournament format.

GlobalPort's litmus test begins at 11 p.m. on Wednesday (2 p.m. on Thursday in Manila time) against La Dolfina/Tamera at the National Polo Center before taking on BTA and Park Place on March 31 and April 5, respectively.

Aside from Romero, the team will also be banking on world No. 4 Bartolome Castagnola along with Beltran Laulhe, Lucas Diaz Alberdi and substitutes Nico Escobar and Santos Merlos.

“Luck of the draw again. We are up against a bracket of death. Against two former champion teams of the US Open. First game against La Dolfina Tamera headed by considered to be the GOAT of Polo or the Michael Jordan of Polo, Adolfo Cambiaso,” said Romero.

“Our game against BTA would be the highlight of the day, but it will just be the start of a tough climb as we battle Park Place next which is a former champion,” said Romero.

La Dolfina Tamera and Park Place are both powerhouses with the former winning the C.V. Whitney Cup in February by beating Coca-Cola with a nail-biting 11-10 finish. Park Place, meanwhile, ruled the 2023 US Open Polo Championship with the core of Juan Britos, Andrey Borodin, Hilario Ulloa, and Jason Wates capturing the title.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News