For the first time in the storied history of the US Open Polo Championship, the Philippine flag will fly over Wellington, Florida, as Rep. Mikee Romero and his Globalport Polo team prepare to face off against the world’s best.

On March 24, 2025, Romero—businessman, sports patron and three-term congressman—will lead his squad onto the field in what is considered the most prestigious event in polo. It is an achievement not just for his team but for the Philippines, marking the first time an Asian-based team has qualified for the elite tournament.

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For Romero, this moment has been a lifetime in the making. A former varsity basketball player turned multi-sport patron, he has long been a force in Philippine athletics, supporting teams in basketball, volleyball, cycling, shooting and polo. A Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist, he has competed under the Philippine tricolor before, but never on a stage as grand as this.

“It’s a big honor for me to represent the country in this US Open,” Romero said. “Qualifying is already a huge accomplishment, but we want to make an impact. We’re here to challenge the dominance of the established powers of polo.”

To do that, Globalport Polo has assembled a formidable lineup. At its core is Barto Castagnola, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, fresh from victories in the Argentine Open and the UK Gold Cup. Alongside him is 17-year-old Beltran Laughle, a rising star and 6-goaler already making waves in the sport. Rounding out the team is American-born Lucas Alberdi, known for his sharp strategic play.

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The US Open Polo Championship, organized by the United States Polo Association, has drawn the sport’s top competitors for more than 120 years. The tournament, held annually at the National Polo Center, is a 22-goal event—the highest level of competition in the sport.

Globalport Polo’s entry marks a significant breakthrough not only for the Philippines but also for Southeast Asian polo. No team from the region has ever played at this level, and its participation signals a new era for the sport in Asia. Polo has long been dominated by teams from Argentina, the United States and Europe, but Romero and his team hope to change that narrative.

The rising global interest in polo is also expected to shine a spotlight on the Philippines. The 2024 US Open gained wider recognition through the Netflix series “Polo,” produced by Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.