Romero Polo Cup draws stellar field

MANILA, Philippines - The first Romero Polo Cup 2013 kicks off on March 10 at the Alabang Country Club with some of the world’s top polo players, including scions of a wealthy family from Thailand, slugging it out for top honors and bragging rights.

Dubbed as Sultan Cup, the event will be a 10-goal contest, thus ensuring a high-level and tactical competition among the veterans and young turks, including host Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre.

“It’s going to be a tough tournament since seasoned players from around the globe will see action,” said Romero. “For sure, it’s going to be a close call since a lot is at stake in the event.”

Adding prestige to the tournament is the participation of the Srivaddhanaprabha brothers, Alyawatt and Apichet of Thailand – both members of the bronze medal winning team during the 2007 Thailand SEA Games.

Their father Vichai, who heads the famous King Power duty free conglomerate, is one of the acknowledged godfathers of polo in the Asian region.  

Vichai bankrolled the construction of the first professionally lighted polo stadium in Asia that paved way for the hosting of the 2007 Southeast Asian Games held in Bangkok, Thailand.  

“The presence of a prominent Thai family makes the event more glamorous,” added Romero, considered as one of the country’s hotshots.

Vichai also hosts the “All Asia Cup” – considered as the Asian Games of polo.

Others seeing action are Lucas Lujan and Miguel Diaz of Argentina, Fil-American brothers Anthony and Adrian Garcia, Mexican Isidro Olivas and British Jake Gordon and 2007 Philippine Polo team captain Antonio Veloso.

Popular Hollywood producer and Alabang Country Club president Jun Juban will banner the low goal players along with son, Santi, Jim Donovan, Freddie and Sonny Borromeo and Jun Eusebio.