Argentine, Romero power team to Sultan Cup romp

MANILA, Philippines - Argentinian pro Miguel Diaz played true to form while patron Mikee Romero came through with another swashbuckling performance as Team Maserati outlasted Team Jaguar, 10-6, to rule the Globalport 900’s International Sultan Cup at the Alabang Country Club polo field last Sunday.

Playing in the country for the second time, Diaz, a four-goaler, dazzled the crowd with his strength and great control to lead the team with four goals, including a 60-yard penalty shot that gave them a commanding 6-2 lead after the third chukker of the centerpiece event of the Romero Polo Festival.

Inspired by the presence of his entire family, including wife, Sheila, Romero produced the team’s first goal through a perfect pass by Diaz to the delight of the big crowd. He finished with three goals in a performance that firmed up his status as one of the best local polo players around.

The two other members of the team – Anthony Garcia and Tal Srivaddhanaprabha of Thailand – also did well with Garcia chipping in two while the Thai patron added one to underscore their dominance over the squad of Mexican-American Isidro Olivas, Argentinian Santi Galland, Santi Juban and Andrian Garcia. 

With the resounding success of the event graced by Argentina’s Ambassador Joaquin Daniel-Otero, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ricardo Garcia and the members of the UAAP 3-peat women’s volleyball champion La Salle, Romero, who sponsored the two-day event, said a bigger and longer event will be held next year.

“This is for the good of the sport, especially for the new players. For now, patrons from the US, China and Thailad have expressed their desire to join the event next year,” said Romero, who highlighted his game-long brilliance with a tap off a scramble play that finally took the fight out of their rivals in their five-chukker match, 9-5.