By REY C. LACHICA
As a sportsman, Mikee Romero has worn many hats – from the godfather of amateur basketball in 2007 to becoming the big boss of cycling and shooting groups – one after another – highlighted by being named as one of the Philippine officials in the 2012 London Olympics.
But it was only when the good-looking businessman fell madly in love with polo that he became a vital part of Philippine sports – as a player.
Blessed with an exuberance of a youth – though he’s now 53 – and passion almost unmatched by someone as busy as him, Romero has galloped to global fame after becoming the first Filipino polo player to make into the Top 25 of the World Polo Tour (WPT) amateur rankings.
The WPT ranks players based on their performance in the most competitive tournaments around the globe.
For his stellar showing, Romero is now ranked No. 24 in the world after earning 110 WPT points in a stunning debut at the 2025 Gauntlet of Polo – the most prestigious and demanding polo series in the world.
“It still feels surreal,” Romero said. “To be among the Top 25 is a huge honor—but it’s more than a personal milestone. This is a triumph for every Filipino who dares to dream, for a nation that never had a place on this field—until now.”
He even outranked two of the wealthiest polo players in the region – Thailand’s Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and Brunei’s Mateen Bolkiah to become Southeast Asia’s top amateur polo player.
Dubbed as the Olympics of Polo, the Gauntlet of Polo is held at the National Polo Center in Florida with three tournaments: the C.V. Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup, and the U.S. Open Polo Championship.
It is where the rich and famous players from the United States, Argentina and Europe traditionally play and also where Romero’s GlobalPort created a name.
In what could go down as one of the Gauntlet’s most inspiring runs, Romero and company brought down powerhouses La Dolfina/Tamera and Park Place — teams that eventually ruled the series’ top honors.
GlobalPort stormed to the semifinals of the C.V. Whitney Cup and nearly made it to the USPA Gold Cup but luck went their way in the waning moments. They tantalizingly closed in to victory after leading a goal with just 80 seconds remaining but eventually lost to La Dolfina/Catamount, 11-10.
Still, Romero was overwhelmed with the team’s debut performance, saying it was a mission of national pride having successfully planted the PH flag into the hallowed ground of polo.
They finished second in the USPA Bronze Cup and capped its campaign with their victory in the Sterling Cup.
“For us, it wasn’t just about winning—it was about belonging,” added Romero. “Belonging to the world stage. And I believe we’ve earned that right.”
“This is just the beginning,” Romero said. “We are no longer just spectators—we are players in the arena. And I promise you, the Filipino will ride again.”
