Robert Esguerra started out as a horse groomer. Now he finds himself representing the Philippines in SEA Games polo, booking win number one against Indonesia.
While the rest of Team Philippines polo had ample time to prepare for SEA Games 2025 Thailand, Robert Esguerra only had limited time to train... in Thailand.
Yet he was instrumental in the Philippines' 5.5-3 victory against Indonesia in the 2-4 Goals Preliminary game on Thursday, the country's first foray in the 2025 edition of the multi-sporting event.
"Bigla akong siningit lang, dito lang ako nag-training," the 25-year-old Esguerra told Cignal/One Sports. "Pahinga ng six months, buti nakahabol ako, nakatulong ako sa kanila. Ayun, panalo tayo ng isa."
"Sobrang saya para sa'tin, Pilipinas."
[ALSO READ: Philippine polo team opens country’s 33rd SEA Games bid with win over Indonesia]
Esguerra admitted he didn't expect to be here, bearing the flag of the Philippines as an athlete in the SEA Games.
He started out as a horse groomer in Pulilan, Bulacan, urged and supported by the Eusebio family to try out for the event.
"Nagulat nga ako. Nagpapasalamat ako sa pamilya Eusebio, dahil sa kanila, andito ako," he said.
@onesportsphl ‘PARA SA’TIN, PILIPINAS’ ?🏽🇵🇭 Despite being added to the lineup on short notice, Robert Esguerra proved to be a key factor in the Philippine Polo Team’s opening victory over Indonesia in the mixed 2–4 goals preliminaries of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games. The team now looks to build on that momentum as it faces host nation Thailand this Saturday at 6:00 p.m. | via Cignal #OSOnTheSpot #SEAGames33 #SEAGamesThailand #TibayAtTatag
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But the road is expected to get tougher in Group A on Saturday, December 6, as the Philippines will take on host Thailand at 7 p.m.
"Malalakas mga kabayo nila, mas lamang," Esguerra noted. "Utak na lang gamitin natin, diskarte. Kaya natin 'yan, laban lang."
Thailand already won 7.5-7 against Brunei on December 3.
The seeding would be vital to determine the placement for the semifinals.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE | Team Philippines competes at 33rd SEA Games in Thailand]
(With reports from Bea Gadiano, Reg Lorque/Cignal)
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup.
Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.