Mikee among richest Pinoy sportsmen

MANILA, Philippines - Mikee Romero, still in search of a first PBA crown, hit a milestone yesterday when he made it to the elite Forbes’ list of “The Philippines’ 50 Richest” for the first time.

Romero, owner of GlobalPort 900 and the GlobalPort ball club in the PBA, is one of the youngest in the roster at age 40, landing at 26th place with a net worth of $490 million.

“Naka-tsamba lang (I’ve just got a good break),” Romero told The STAR.

Other PBA bosses in the list are Danding Cojuangco of San Miguel Corp. ($825M), Eric Recto of Petron ($485M), Ramon Ang also of SMC ($260M), Wilfred Uytengsu of Alaska ($250M) and Manny V. Pangilinan of Smart/PLDT ($105M).

Romero is first-timer in the list, making it on successful ventures on port, mining, hotels and airline businesses among others.

“I’m very honored,” said Romero after joining the list of the country’s captains of industry.

Romero, however, stressed he will remain a sportsman.

“I want to win a PBA crown, and the target is to get it in two years,” said Romero on his goal with his PBA team.

Meanwhile, the GlobalPort Batang Pier will be playing with Markeith Cummings as import in the coming PBA Governors Cup – only the franchise’s third conference in its PBA participation.

Romero had great championship runs with his Harbour Centre team in the defunct PBL, in the Asean Basketball League and with the national team in Southeast Asian meets.

A former La Salle Green Archer, he’s also into shooting, baseball and polo. He captains the country’s polo team and owns the baseball team Manila Sharks.

He worked in venture capital in Singapore before returning home in 2002 to seize infrastructure opportunity.

He converted the family’s reclaimed land into Harbour Centre Port Terminal, now the country’s biggest bulk and breakbulk port.

He also has stakes in the Manila North Harbour, the country’s biggest port, where San Miguel is partner.

His other interests include mining, hotels, a 20 percent stake in Air Asia Philippines and 15 percent in Alfred Yao’s (No.42) Zest Airways.