MANILA, Philippines – Argentinian Juan Jauretche came up with a sparkling debut, powering the Bentley Whites to a thrilling 7-5 triumph over the Audi Grays last Sunday in the high-goal match of the 11th Enrique Zobel Memorial Cup at Manila Polo Club.
The standout from Trenque Lau-quen, playing for the first time in the showcase match, fired five goals in the thrilling match at Enrique Zobel Field.
Gus Aguirre shot the last two goals for the Whites, who seized control with three in the fourth of the six-chukker match presented by Bentley.
“We played well against a very good team,” said Jauratche, the highest rated player in the match with a handicap of five.
Iñigo Zobel and Cole Aguirre also delivered solid plays for the Whites.
The Grays, led by businessman Mikee Romero, drew three goals from Gaston Berguerie and one each from Matias Orlando and Santi Lujan.
Both teams fought tooth and nail in the first three chukkers with Jauretche wielding the hot mallet, scoring twice—first from a penalty—with Lujan and Beguerie responding with goals to keep the Grays in the match.
But Jauretche took charge in the fourth chukker, scoring three goals for a 5-2 advantage, before Orlando trimmed the gap, 3-5, with a goal 30 minutes before the end of the session.
Berguerie scored in quick succession to allow the Grays to close in at 4-5, but Gus Aguirre restored order for the Whites with a goal at the 3:15 mark of the fifth chukker.
Zobel helped set up Gus Aguirre for the seventh goal of the match as the Whites built an unassailable 4-7 lead heading into the final chukker.
In the low goal match, Audi Red nipped Bentley Green, 3-2, with Manot Montilla scoring twice and Benjie Toda scoring another.