MANILA, Philippines - The 14th staging of the Enrique Zobel Memorial Polo Cup was held recently at Manila Polo Club in Makati City.
The Enrique Zobel Field reverberated with excitement, as two much-anticipated polo matches were about to get a-galloping. Polo, the sport of kings in ancient Persia in the 6th century BC, showcases the strength, power and grace of both men and their reliable steads. Two games for that day were to be played on the storied field named after Enrique Zobel, the late businessman, polo player, and the first Filipino president of the Manila Polo Club.
Ready the Steads
In the first match — a low-goal, four-chukker game — the Audi Grays led by players J. Dulay, S. Juban, J. De Jesus and C. Garcia edged the Audi Reds with players R. Garcia, M. Montilla, A. Filamor and V. Bitong with a win by a single goal, six to five.
The second match was more one-sided as the Whites with players I. Zobel, T. Bitong, N. Ithurburu, and J. Jauretche led a high-goal game against the Blacks with players F. Labron, G. Aguirre, D. Gould and C. Aguirre.
The Whites came away with a convincing five-to-two win — with four goals coming off the mallet of Jauretche.
But, before the high-goal, three-chukker match, the traditional parade of horses ensued on the Enrique Zobel Field. Not to be missed was the Audi Q7 trophy car. Riding the Audi were Rocio Zobel, Matias Warns and Olivia Zobel. This was followed by the salute and ceremonial throw-in by Zobel Foundation chair Dee Anne Zobel, Manila Polo Club president Isabal Caro Wilson, Audi Philippines Head Benedicto Coyiuto and Manila Polo Club GM August Samala.
Lovers of Beauty
The Manila Polo Club has also become a venue to showcase the thoroughly modern technology that highlights man’s love affair with the automobile. Longtime event sponsor PGA Cars presented the premium German brand Audi.
The parade of cars, featured the elegant and compelling Q3 and Q7 SUVs, along with the sprightly Audi TT sports car.
Making the experience of the Audi more interactive, spectators and participants were able to get close and intimate with the Audi Q7, along with the extremely exotic and powerful Audi R8 V10 Plus, as these powerhouse beauties were on display at the Manila Polo Club’s rotunda area by the lobby.
The Audi Q7 is easily the most sought-after SUV of the Ingolstadt-based brand. Its 3.0-liter TDI engine heart blurts out 272hp and a whopping 600Nm, helping propel the Q7 from zero to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds. Its much-anticipated 2.0 TFSI version, which will be arriving in the second quarter of this year, offers 252 hp, donning 370 Nm of torque with an acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds.
Tricked out with a performance package, the variant best highlights Audi’s slogan “Vorsprung Durch Technik “ (Innovation Through Technology).
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For information, call 0917-8139064 or visit Audi showrooms located in Greenhills, Bonifacio Global City, and Alabang.