By Jan Carlo Anolin
CALATAGAN, BATANGAS – With the gold medal in sight, Rep. Mikee Romero has one more reason to suit up for the national polo team in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Mikee Romero, aboard his mount, poses during a tuneup game between the Philippine polo team and Argentina prior to 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Miguel Romero Field in Calatagan, Batangas. (Carlo Anolin)
“I dedicate it to my son Miguel who should have been playing here,” Romero told reporters before the inauguration of the Bamboo Pavilion in the Miguel Romero Polo Field here.
Miguel passed away last Dec. 14, 2017. He was 22.
Romero recalled how Miguel used to play polo at the same field that will host the 0-2 goal events of the SEA Games. The venue is now named after him.
“Ngayon, he’s still part of the SEA Games because the whole field is named [after] sa kanya – in his memory,” Romero said.
Romero, one of the national team’s spearheads, sustained a back injury after falling from his horse during training in Argentina recently.
Romero said he was not able to walk for two days after the accident and endured lower back pains after a horse had run over him.
But after a week of six-hour therapy, Romero was back on his feet and resumed conditioning and horse riding routines.
“Kahit ‘di ako makalakad [nang maayos], kailangan kong maglaro kasi once in a lifetime lang ang SEA Games,” he said.
Completing the Philippine team are Coco Garcia, Nicole Eusebio, Jam Eusebio, Santi Juban, Antonio Veloso, coach Alexander Anthony Garcia – and Miguel in spirit.
The Nationals will make the most out of the home-field advantage against Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia when the 0-2 goals event kicks off on December 3.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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