World-ranked polo player Mikee Romero delivered what he described as one of his “beautiful and courageous” shots, powering his team – GlobalPort-Passion For Polo – to a stunning 11-10 victory over defending champion Flying Changes in the 2025 USPA Midwest Open on Monday, Aug. 10, at the Las Brisas Polo Club in Chicago, Illinois.
Staring down the possibility of another heartbreaking defeat, Romero— ranked No. 24 in the world with 110 World Polo Tour points — rose to the moment. He produced a game-winning play marked by blistering speed and fearless execution to seal the team’s remarkable come-from-behind triumph.
“One of my best shots ever,” said the former lawmaker, who gained international recognition after GlobalPort’s historic debut at the 2025 Gauntlet of Polo, often referred to as the Olympics of polo.
Romero’s last-gasp goal — his second of the match – epitomized the team’s resilience against Flying Changes’ aggressive early onslaught. It also kept them on track for another impressive run following their quarterfinal finish in the prestigious US Polo Open Championship in Florida just last May.
Beyond the sheer grit it took to win, the result also served as sweet redemption for Romero and his teammates — American Colo Gonzalez, Argentinian Nino Obregón, and Fil-Am Anthony Garcia — who had suffered a painful 13-14 defeat to CD Peacock in their tournament opener.
On a brief break from his socio-civic duties as chairman of the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines, Inc. (ARRAPI) with the rank of lieutenant colonel, Romero credited the team’s win to their unrelenting spirit.
“It’s our chemistry and big fighting heart that carried us through,” said Romero, the highest-ranked Southeast Asian player on the global polo circuit.
Gonzalez and Obregón were pivotal in controlling the midfield battles, setting the stage for Romero’s game-clinching strike.
Up next for Romero and company is a crucial match against host team Las Brisas on Aug. 14, followed by a clash with Beaver Creek on Aug. 16.
