The Philippine flag will fly for the first time at the 2025 US Open Polo Championship when Rep. Mikee Romero and his Globalport Polo team compete against the world’s best in Wellington, Florida.
Globalport is set to make history as the first Asia-based team to participate in this prestigious tournament, which runs from March 24 to April 20, 2025. This marks the first time a Filipino player and a team representing the Philippine flag will take part in the championship.
The team’s qualification highlights the growing influence of the Philippines in international polo and is expected to generate newfound excitement for the sport both in the country and across Southeast Asia.
While this won’t be Romero’s first time representing the Philippines in international polo, it will be his debut on the sport’s biggest stage.
A three-term congressman, SEA Games bronze medalist, and one of the country’s most prominent sports figures, Romero has long been an advocate for Philippine sports. H
is involvement spans basketball, cycling, shooting, volleyball, and polo.
He was first elected as a party-list representative of 1-Pacman in 2016 and has business interests in port operations, airlines, and power.
“It’s a big honor for me to represent the country in this US Open,” said Romero, who is set to complete his third term as a 1-Pacman party-list representative this year.
“While qualifying for the US Open is already an accomplishment, we hope to make an impact and challenge the dominance of the established powers in the polo world.”
Globalport Polo enters the 2025 competition with a formidable lineup led by Argentina’s Barto Castagnola, one of the best polo players in the world.
Ranked No. 2 globally, Castagnola is coming off an impressive run, winning both the Argentine Open and the UK Gold Cup. His skill and experience will be invaluable to the team.
Joining him is 17-year-old prodigy Beltran Laughle, a rising 6-goaler making waves as one of the sport’s most promising young talents.
Completing the team is Lucas Alberdi, an American-born player known for his strategic approach and solid on-field performance.
The US Open Polo Championship, organized by the United States Polo Association (USPA), is the most prestigious polo tournament in the world, boasting a rich 120-year history. Held annually in Wellington, the 22-goal competition attracts the finest polo players globally.
The 2024 edition of the tournament gained widespread attention after serving as the backdrop for the Netflix series Polo, produced by Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The series provided an inside look at the intense competition and drama of the event, further cementing the US Open Polo Championship as the sport’s premier showcase.
As Globalport Polo prepares to make its historic debut, all eyes will be on the team to see how they fare against the world’s best.
