Screengrab from USPA
MANILA, Philippine – Argentinian polo star Bartolome Castagnola scored 11 targets, and Filipino sportsman and staff proprietor Mikee Romero delivered the coup de grace because the Globalport Polo staff crushed Park Place, 15-10, on Sunday in one of many weekend matches that kicked off the C. V. Whitney Cup on the Nationwide Polo Middle in Wellington, Florida.
It was a historic win for Globalport, and Romero, the primary Filipino participant and who scored a aim within the occasion, the opening leg of three prestigious occasions making up the Gauntlet of Polo, the triple crown of “the game of kings.”
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Organized by the US Polo Affiliation, the two-month lengthy Gauntlet consists of the Whitney Cup (Feb 17-March 7), the USPA Gold Cup (March 7-28), and the US Open Polo Championship (March 28-April 18).
Park Place, the defending champion, pulled forward to 2-0 early within the second chukker, however Globalport battled again to tie the rating at 2-2. It was nip-and-tuck from there till Castagnola led Globalport on a seven-goal cost beginning late within the fourth chukker whereas holding Park Place goalless in your complete fifth chukker.
Park Place was nonetheless close by at 12-8 when Romero, taking part in within the occasion for the primary time, broke away, took an help from Castagnola, and tapped it between the posts at full gallop to ship the deadly blow one minute into the sixth and remaining chukker.
Romero, a third-term congressman of 1-Pacman Occasion-list, pumped his fist into the air as he rode previous the posts, prompting the tv commentator to comment, “Welcome to the Gauntlet of Polo, Michael Romero!”
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“It was a giant private honor to attain that aim, however Globalport’s win was an much more important for the staff,” Romero stated after the match.
It was a rousing debut within the occasion for each Globalport and Romero, an avid sportsman whose involvement as a sports activities chief additionally contains basketball, volleyball, baseball, biking, and taking pictures.
The 54-year-old Castognola, a 10-goal handicapper rated among the many high 20 on the earth, scored twice extra to finish an 11-goal efficiency earlier than Park Place lastly scored two extra targets with barely a minute left within the match.
The opposite members of Globalport are Beltran Lualhe and Lucas Diaz Alberdi, each six-handicappers.
Lualhe, a 17-year-old Argentinian, is certainly one of polo’s rising stars and the youngest competing within the Gauntlet of Polo. Alberdi is an American-born Argentinian identified for his strategic method and stable efficiency on the sphere.
READ: Mikee Romero, Globalport qualify for US Open Polo championship
The US Polo Open, organized by the USA Polo Affiliation (USPA), is essentially the most prestigious polo event globally, boasting a wealthy 120-year historical past. Held yearly in Wellington, Florida, the 22-goal competitors attracts the world’s best polo gamers.
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The pilot staff gained the Whitney Cup, USPA Gold Cup, and the US Open Polo titles in 2019; thus far, the one quartet to have swept the Gauntlet of Polo was launched.