Ranked world’s 24th in polo two months ago, Mikee Romero exudes the aura of doing his country proud as GlobalPort-PFP finds its place in the USPA Midwest Open semi-finals. — Photo by Jan Escosio
ELGIN, Illinois — Filipino polo star and businessman Mikee Romero scored four goals including the match-winner as GlobalPort-PFP edged Beaver Creek, 10–9, to clinch a semifinal berth in the prestigious USPA Midwest Open.
Romero, who was a top performing congressman, delivered his best polo performance yet on US soil and earned him a special feature on Polo Line TV, a leading polo digital media platform.
In his interview, Romero noted that polo in Southeast Asia is “in constant growth,” and that competing in the Midwest Open proves Filipinos can hold their own against the best.
After a historic run in March at the US Open in Florida, where first-timer team GlobalPort reached the quarterfinals, Romero was ranked 24th in the world and the top Southeast Asian amateur polo player.
Romero leads GlobalPort-PFP (Passion for Polo) teammates Colo Gonzalez, Niño Obregón, and Filipino American Anthony Garcia, a squad that is jelling even better as the Midwest Open enters the semifinal.
He told Polo Line he has played with Obregon and Garcia in the Philippines, UK, Thailand, and in other parts of the world in the past seven years. Gonzalez joined them last month.
The semifinal match is set for next Wednesday at Las Brisas Polo Club in Elgin, Illinois.
Beyond polo, Romero has interests in port management, power generation, real estate, and finance. He is also a leading patron of Philippine sports, backing programs in basketball, volleyball, football, and now, polo.
A reservist with the Philippines Air Force with a rank of lieutenant colonel, he led the 2nd Air Force Wing Reserve in humanitarian missions assisting countrymen in typhoon-ravaged areas just before flying to Chicago.
After the polo game, he declared in his Facebook page that his presence on the world stage is proof that a Filipino belongs among the best in the world.
READ: Mikee Romero breaks into Top 25 of World Polo ranking
A few days ago, GlobalPort-PFP pulled off a thrilling win against 2024 champion Flying Changes, 11-10. Obregon’s playmaking, Garcia’s accurate scoring, and Gonzalez’ explosive runs swung the game’s momentum back with Romero adding a crucial goal in the final chukker.
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The GlobalPort team that earlier saw action in Florida featured polo stars like world No. 2 Barto Castagnola of Argentina, 17-year-old prodigy Beltrán Laulhé, and Lucas Alberdi, with Nico Escobar and Santos Merlos as substitutes. /das