Photo: Matías Callejo / Prensa AA.
Under the pressure of a thrilling, suspenseful finish, La Hache defeated Ellerstina 14-13 with a goal by Tomás Panelo just after the second bell. With this win, Hilario Ulloa’s team claimed its first Triple Crown title, winning the Tortugas Open for the Emilio de Anchorena Cup. This result finalizes the group standings for the Argentino Abierto, set to begin tomorrow, weather permitting. Zone A will include La Hache, La Natividad, Indios Chapaleufú, La Hache Cría y Polo, and La Aguada, while Zone B will feature Ellerstina, La Dolfina, La Ensenada, Cría La Dolfina, and La Zeta.
In just two years of competition at the high handicap level in Argentina, Ulloa’s organization had reached two finals, both losses: Hurlingham 2023, against La Dolfina (18-13), and Tortugas 2023, a few weeks later, against La Natividad (15-10). After a disappointing Palermo, they reshaped the team for the 2024 season, with Guillermo Caset Jr. leaving and Panelo joining. The team had ups and downs in the recent Hurlingham tournament, made some adjustments, and improved their play in Tortugas. This collective improvement led to a joyous moment, with the four triumphant riders lifting the trophy that La Natividad and La Dolfina, the only two teams in the world with perfect ratings, could not retain.
This remarkable victory allows the explosive attacking pair of Hilario and Pablo Pieres (lethal when given even a meter of advantage) to claim their third title in this tournament. Ulloa previously won the Tortugas Open in 2020 and 2021, while wearing Ellerstina’s colors—Ellerstina being the rival this afternoon. Polito Pieres’ name is also etched on the trophy, with wins in 2019 (also with Ellerstina) and 2022 (with La Natividad). When Ulloa formed the team to challenge the strongest opponents, he immediately thought of Pieres. “We understood each other very well,” explained the champion’s leader, recalling their days with Alegría, the organization led by Canadian Fred Mannix, which they shared in the mid-2010s. Francisco Elizalde and Panelo, meanwhile, reached the top of the podium for the first time in their careers.
Ellerstina, the most decorated team in Tortugas history with thirteen titles (1992, 1994, 1995, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2019, 2020, and 2021), fought tirelessly with their restructured lineup. This season, Sapo Caset and Lucas Monteverde Jr. replaced Bautista Bayugar (who joined Cría La Dolfina) and Nicolás Pieres (who started his own project) in the team from General Rodríguez. Overcoming an irregular start, they stabilized over successive matches and nearly celebrated once more on the field that has brought them so much joy since 1992, when Gonzalo Pieres led the team with a young Adolfo Cambiaso.
Summary of the Tortugas Open Final
La Hache had no excess but is overflowing with happiness; Ellerstina, for now, swallows disappointment. Both teams need to improve their performance and achieve more fluid play if they hope to excel at the year’s premier event, the Argentino Abierto, set to begin in a few hours.
Match Summary: La Hache 14 vs. Ellerstina 13
• La Hache: Pablo Pieres (9), Hilario Ulloa (9), Francisco Elizalde (9), Tomás Panelo (9). Total: 36.
• Ellerstina: Guillermo Caset (9), Lucas Monteverde Jr. (8), Gonzalo Pieres Jr. (9), Ignatius Du Plessis (9). Total: 35.
• Progression: La Hache led 3-2, 5-4, 5-4, 7-5, tied at 8-8, 10-10, led again 12-10, and won 14-13.
• La Hache Scorers: Pieres (5, 2 penalties), Ulloa (3), Elizalde (2), Panelo (4).
• Ellerstina Scorers: Caset (9, 5 penalties), Monteverde (1), Pieres (1), Du Plessis (1), penalty (1).
• Officials: Matías Baibiene, Gastón Lucero; Referee: Gonzalo López Vargas.
• Field: Tortugas No. 7.