Nicole Eusebio-Fulgencio named MVP in Malaysia polo meet

Nicole Eusebio-Fulgencio in action for Global All Stars at the Malaysia SEA pre-test event. –HANDOUT PHOTO/PNFPP

MANILA, Philippines— Filipino standout Nicole Eusebio-Fulgencio was named Most Valuable Player after starring for the Global All Stars in a Southeast Asian Games pre-test polo match in Malaysia.

Eusebio-Fulgencio led the multinational squad of players from Australia, Pakistan, Singapore and the Philippines during the June 27-28 exhibition at Kuala Lumpur Polo Club, which served as a test event ahead of the 2027 Southeast Asian Games. Despite playing together for the first time and riding borrowed horses, the Global All Stars raced to an early lead behind Eusebio-Fulgencio, who scored the opening goal and set up another.

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Malaysia, however, rallied in the closing moments and pulled out the win after converting a late penalty. Still, Eusebio-Fulgencio’s all-around performance earned her the tournament’s top individual honor.

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“It means everything,” she said. “But beyond the personal milestone, what matters most to me is putting Philippine women’s polo on the ASEAN map.”

Philippine National Federation of Polo Players president Pedro Roxas II said the recognition reflects the progress of the country’s women’s polo program.

“What Nicole has done is show that not only is women’s polo relevant in the Philippines, but also at a competitive level,” Roxas said.

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“Besides representing our country, winning the MVP award is an achievement we can all be proud of. To be able to shine without prior practice with the team and being on borrowed horses is extremely impressive.”

PNFPP secretary-general Camila Lastrilla-Curto said Eusebio-Fulgencio’s participation was part of the federation’s effort to provide more international exposure for Filipino players, particularly during the local rainy season when domestic polo activity slows.

She added that competing in Malaysia was strategically important as the country is among Southeast Asia’s strongest polo nations and will host the 2027 SEA Games.

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A product of North Polo Club’s grassroots program in Bulacan and a member of the Philippine team that competed in the 2019 SEA Games, Eusebio-Fulgencio now balances elite competition with business and motherhood.

“I’ve spent this whole stretch of my life as a working student-athlete, and I’m also a new mom, only nine months post-partum,” she said. “It isn’t easy, but I’ve learned that when your priorities are clear, you find a way to show up fully in every role.”

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