They were able to play and win together, in Argentina, in the United States and England. Even having 31 years difference. Adolph Changer (h.) and Poroto Changer They did not even remotely imagine that what seemed like a problem (playing each on their own) would end up being a privilege: that both of them would reach the finals of the American Triple Crown, in Palm Beach, with their respective teams.
It happened first with the CV Whitney Cup, won by the father with his group, Valiente. Then it was their turn USPA Gold Cup, won by the son, with none other than La Dolfina, in the first international season of the Caรฑuelas club. And when both were already more than done, now they will have the pleasure of competing for the maximum trophy organized by the United States Polo Association (USPA): el US Open.
It is the most relevant circuit in the United States. We are talking about a polo with formations of up to 22 goals handicap, different from that of the Triple Crown of Argentina. There is a more ball possession game and fewer runs and long passes. Within that spectrum, Cambiaso father, brand new 49 years old, He continues to demonstrate why it is a level of polo in which he has historically prevailed since he began playing in Palm Beach, back in 1991, when he was 15 years old and was called up by Ernesto Trotz to represent Cellular One. And Poroto, at 18, has already proven to be up to par against anyone. Now, he is leading his own lineup, without the presence of Adolfito as backup on the court. A leap in quality and maturity, to take testimony when the time comes.
Lethal combination: Cambiaso-Panelo Bean
The semi-finals showed them again at their peak. First it was La Dolfina’s turn, which defeated Coca Cola 13-11. Poroto Cambiaso (scored 5 goals), along with Tomรกs Panelo and Rufino Merlos, had another outstanding performance. And they had the tough Coca Cola team in front of them, led by Polito Pieres, along with Kristos Magrini and Victorino Ruiz Jorba. The match was as close as the one they had had in the qualifying stage, which La Dolfina also won, 15-13. The winner had 10-5 leads in the fourth chukker, entered the final period 12-8 up and Coca Cola was only two ahead (12-10). But in an action created by Poroto Cambiaso and finished off by Rufino Merlos, La Dolfina scored three and secured a place in the final. In this way, the Caรฑuelas team added its fifth consecutive victory at the US Open.
The other semifinal showed the supremacy of Valiente, which was up 8-2 in the fifth chukker. A special tournament for the team of Texan skipper Bob Jornayvaz, who in the third match, against Dutta Corp, suffered a hard fall when colliding with a teammate and since then (11 days ago) he has been hospitalized, in an induced coma. Jornayvaz was replaced by a 0 goal scorer, Joaquรญn Vilgre, to accompany Adolfito Cambiaso, Paquito de Narvรกez and Mariano โPekeโ Gonzรกlez. To advance to the final, Valiente defeated Pilot, led by Facundo Pieres, 9-6.
โPekeโ Gonzรกlez’s great goal
Now they will be in the final of the competition again, but for the first time face to face. In 2021 they were champions both playing for Scone, and also with โPekeโ Gonzรกlez. Now it will be a special duel. Because they already won one each in a dream season from the point of view of results. Everything stays in the family.
โThe situation was very uncomfortable, because in front of me was my son and also La Dolfina, which is my club,โ Adolfito had said after the first final in the CV Whitney Cup. Later Poroto took revenge in the USPA Gold Cup, in a definition that had hot moments due to referee rulings and that cost Adolfito having to leave his team with one less for a couple of minutes. Meanwhile, they continue writing family history. For the enjoyment, also, of grandfather Adolfo, who followed them from a distance from Buenos Aires via streaming and is already racing for the grand final this Sunday. Son and grandson have a bad habit of it…
The victory of La Dolfina
La Dolfina: Alexander Aznar, 0; Rufino Blackbirds, 3; Poroto Cambiaso, 10, and Thomas Panelo, 9. Total,
Coca Cola: Gillian Johnston, 0; Christ Green, 6; Polito Pieres, 9, and Victorino Ruiz Jorba, 7. Total,
Progression: La Dolfina, 1-1, 5-2, 6-4, 10-5, 12-8 and 13-11.
Brave’s Triumph
Brave: Joaquin Vilgre, 0; Mariano โPekeโ Gonzalez, 7; Paquito de Narvaez, 5, and Adolfo Cambiaso (h.), 10. Total,
Pilot: Curtis Pilot, 0; Anthony Heguy, 6; James Torres, 6, and Facundo Pieres, 10. Total,
Progression: Brave, 0-1, 2-1, 5-1, 7-2, 8-3 and 9-6.