GlobalPort overcame gloomy weather conditions and an early deficit to pull off a stunning upset over newly-crowned US Gold Cup champion Park Place, clinching a spot in the quarterfinals of the US Open Polo Championships at the National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida, late Tuesday (Manila time).
Led by team owner and sports patron Mikee Romero, the Philippine-based squad clawed back from a 5-2 hole in a match that was briefly halted due to rain and a lightning delay at the end of the second chukker.
That break, however, turned out to be exactly what GlobalPort needed. The team regrouped, found its rhythm, and mounted a fierce comeback against the United Kingdom-based team backed by Russian sponsor Andrey Bordain.
Bartolome Castagnola spearheaded GlobalPort’s attack with five goals—including two in the fourth chukker that trimmed Park Place’s lead to just one, 6-7.
GlobalPort’s defense then clamped down, holding Park Place scoreless in the fifth chukker while Castagnola knocked in the equalizer to tie it at 7-all. From there, the momentum shifted completely. Beltran Laulhe and Nico Escobar delivered three straight goals in the sixth chukker, giving GlobalPort a commanding 10-7 lead that would hold until the final whistle.
With the win, GlobalPort wrapped up the group stage of the prestigious 22-goal tournament—widely regarded as the crowning jewel of US polo—on a two-game win streak. They previously took down BTA, also by a score of 10-7, in their second match.
GlobalPort finished second in its group with a 2-1 record, its only loss coming at the hands of La Dolfina Tamera, 7-9.
The quarterfinals are set for Saturday with GlobalPort facing off against La Dolfina Catamount.
