Mikee Romero during a training session with his local team at the Miguel Romero Polo Field in Calatagan, Batangas. Handout photo

MANILA -- The Philippines will make its debut in the US Open Polo Championship when the GlobalPort polo team sees action in the 2025 edition of the event in Wellington, Florida.

GlobalPort, anchored by Rep. Mikee Romero of 1-Pacman party list, is the first team based in Asia to compete in the event. The tournament is scheduled from March 24 to April 20, 2025.

"It's a big honor for me to represent the country in this US Open," said Romero, a former varsity basketball player who is also involved in cycling, shooting, and volleyball, among other sports.

"While qualifying for the US Open is accomplishment enough, we hope to make an impact on the competition as we mount a challenge on the dominance of the established powers of the polo world," he added.

GlobalPort Polo's lineup includes one of the world's top players in Argentina's Barto Castagnola, who is ranked No. 2 globally and is coming off wins in the Argentine Open and the UK Gold Cup. The team also features Beltran Laughle, a 6-goaler who is making a name for himself as one of the sport's most promising young talents. 

Rounding out the team is Lucas Alberdi, an American-born player known for his strategic approach and solid performance on the field.

Romero has previously represented the country in several international polo competitions, but this marks the first time he plays in the sport's biggest stage.

The US Polo Open, organized by the United States Polo Association (USPA), is the most prestigious polo tournament globally, boasting a rich 120-year history. Held annually in Wellington, the 22-goal competition attracts the world's finest polo players. 

The 2024 US Polo Open championship, which served as the backdrop for the Netflix series Polo, has generated widespread interest in the game. 

The series, produced by Prince Harry and Meghan of Sussex, UK, offered an inside look at the intense competition and drama surrounding the event, further cementing the US Polo Open's reputation as the sport's premier showcase.