GlobalPort is ready to make history as it takes on some of the biggest names in polo when it begins its US Open Polo Championship campaign on Wednesday in Wellington, Florida.
As the first-ever Philippine-based team to compete on the prestigious grounds of Wellington, GlobalPort faces a daunting challenge in the group stage.
Drawn into Bracket I, the squad led by Mikee Romero finds itself up against a formidable field, including opponents from the so-called “group of death,” Bracket II.
Two former US Open champion teams headline Bracket II: La Dolfina Tamera and Park Place. GlobalPort’s first test comes immediately as it takes on La Dolfina Tamera in the tournament’s opening day, a $100,000 event.
“Luck of the draw again. We’re up against a bracket of death — two former US Open champion teams. Our first game is against La Dolfina Tamera, led by none other than Adolfo Cambiaso, who is considered the GOAT of polo, the Michael Jordan of the sport,” said Romero, the outgoing 1Pacman Partylist representative.
Following its clash with La Dolfina Tamera, GlobalPort will take on BTA on Sunday, March 30, before wrapping up its group-stage assignments against another former US Open champion, Park Place, on Saturday, April 5.
“Our game against BTA will be one of the highlights of the day, but that’s just the start of a tough climb. After that, we go up against Park Place, another former champion,” said Romero, who was once a key figure in amateur basketball development in the Philippines.
Regardless of the results, GlobalPort has already cemented its place in Philippine sports history. Its participation in the US Open Polo Championship is a testament to its growing influence on the international polo scene, particularly in Asia.
(C) Globalport
Romero also becomes the first Filipino player to compete in the tournament.
La Dolfina Tamera is led by world No. 1 Adolfo Cambiaso Jr., alongside Alejandro Poma, Diego Cavanagh, and Matt Copola. The team is coming off a championship run in the C.V. Whitney Cup last month.
Meanwhile, Park Place enters the tournament as the overwhelming favorite, having just won the US Gold Cup. The team is spearheaded by world No. 6 Hilario Ulloa, with Andrey Borodin, Louis Hine, Mariano “Peke” Gonzales Jr., and substitutes Gabriel Crespi and Nicolas Sivori rounding out the roster.
Despite the tough competition, GlobalPort is no pushover. Aside from Romero, the team boasts world No. 4 Bartolome Castagnola, along with Beltran Laulhe, Lucas Diaz Alberdi, and substitutes Nico Escobar and Santos Merlos.
The Philippine squad enters the US Open riding the momentum of a championship win in the Sterling Cup, where it dethroned defending champion Maltese Falcons in a thrilling 12-11 overtime victory in the finals.
GlobalPort also competed in the Gauntlet of Polo, a prestigious trio of 22-goal tournaments that includes the US Open. It reached the semifinals of the Whitney Cup and finished with a 2-2 record in the group stage of the ongoing US Polo Association Gold Cup.
Joining GlobalPort in Bracket I are Clearwater and La Dolfina Catamount.
