Globalport, Los Tamaraos near title clash

Matches today (Calatagan, Batangas)

2:30 p.m. – San Miguel vs Kingpower-Thailand

3:45 p.m. –Tang Polo vs Polo escape

MANILA, Philippines - Argentinian pro Mariano Obregon played true to form as Globalport Pilipinas fashioned out a resounding 9-4 victory over Polo Escape-Thailand in the opening of the Globalport Philippine Polo Open 2015 in Calatagan, Batangas last Tuesday.

A veteran of the 26-goal tournaments in Florida, California, Obregon delivered five goals to power Globalport to the lead in Zone 1 elims of the six-team, 12-goal tournament officiated by world-renowned referee Tim Keyte.

“It was a lot of fun. We have a good field, good horses and a very nice organization,” said the 29-year-old Obregon.

A 7-goaler, Obregon also had an assist to cap his big debut on Philippine soil.

Skippered by businessman-sportsman Mikee Romero, Globalport zoomed to a 3-0 lead after the first of four chukkers with Obregon putting on two goals through brilliant maneuvering that stunned his rivals.

Globalport went 5-0 at halftime as Obregon added another one before assisting Santi Luhan to all but settle the outcome.

“Grabe sobrang galing niya (He’s so good),” said Romero. “Mariano is something else and he probably is one of the best players na nakuha ko. I hope he can carry the team to the finals.”

Luhan and Adrian Garcia added two goals each for Globalport, which is playing against Tang Polo of China at presstime.

Another win will send Globalport to the final on Sunday against the top team of Zone 2.

Equally impressive was the Los Tamaraos-Australia team, which downed San Miguel, 9-5, in Zone 2 match.

Briton Max Charlton, the highest ranked player in the tournament as an 8-goaler, fired four of his five goals in the fourth and final chukker as the Los Tamaraos turned what had been a close contest into a runaway win.

San Miguel’s Guillermo Cavanagh gave his team a 5-4 lead but Charlton made three successive goals as Los Tamaraos took control of the match.

“This is my first time here and this is the first time that we played together and it was only in the fourth chukker that we adjusted with each other,” said the 24-year-old Charlton.

The team’s four other goals were produced by Nacho Ithurburu. The Los Tamaraos are also playing against Kingpower of Thailand at presstime with hopes of scoring another win for a crack at the crown.