Indios Chapaleufú Secures Its Place in the Triple Crown
Indios Chapaleufú entered the final match of Zone A in the Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo with an urgent need to secure points to stay in the elite Triple Crown. And they delivered: they defeated La Aguada 16-11 in a critical game that marked the Novillo Astrada family team’s farewell from the top tier. To return next year to the Hurlingham, Tortugas, and Palermo circuit, La Aguada will need to earn its spot again through the qualification rounds.
The Heguy team displayed an extraordinary performance in the first half, operating like a perfectly tuned machine. With precise passes, timely positioning, tight ball control, and a solid defense against their opponents, Chapaleufú built a commanding 12-3 lead by the end of the fourth chukker. This dominance allowed them to ease up in the latter stages of the match. La Aguada, knowing their fate, played more freely in the second half, leaving a brighter impression in their farewell from the Campo Argentino de Polo.
The young talents of Indios Chapaleufú—Antonio and Cruz Heguy, Victorino Ruiz Jorba, and Teodoro Lacau—managed the lead with calm and composure. Despite some tense moments, they celebrated not only the victory but also their continuity in the elite world of polo. The hard work was done: these players represent the new generation of Indios Chapaleufú, yet they play like true chieftains. Antonio, with his relentless gallop; Victorino, fierce as a bull; Cruz, with a strong and precise arm; and Teodoro, guided by an instinct that always puts him in the right place. Together, they are Caciques Chapaleufú: Swift Gallop, Brave Bull, Strong Arm, and Loyal Instinct.
A few weeks ago, after a standout performance against La Hache, Eduardo Heguy, Cruz’s father, summarized it perfectly: “This is how you play on Palermo’s field 1.” And it could just as well be said that, at least in the first four chukkers, the same applied to field 2. Because this is how polo is played in the Argentino: with determination, composure, and the calm to withstand the opponent’s onslaughts.
“They were in good rhythm, but the rain delay disrupted them a bit. Even so, credit must be given to La Aguada for their effort,” said Ignacio Heguy, Antonio and Cruz’s uncle, and Chapaleufú’s current coach.
Match Summary: Indios Chapaleufú 16 – La Aguada 11
Indios Chapaleufú: Antonio Heguy (7), Victorino Ruiz Jorba (8), Cruz Heguy (8), Teodoro Lacau (8). Total: 31 handicap goals.
La Aguada: Facundo Llosa (7), Pedro Zacharias (8), Felipe Vercellino (7), Pedro Falabella (7). Total: 29 handicap goals.
Scoring progression: 3-1, 5-1, 8-2, 12-3, 12-5, 12-7, 13-9, 16-11.
Top scorers:
• Indios Chapaleufú: Antonio Heguy (3), Victorino Ruiz Jorba (5), Cruz Heguy (7, including 5 penalties), Teodoro Lacau (1).
• La Aguada: Facundo Llosa (5, including 3 penalties), Pedro Zacharias (2), Felipe Vercellino (1), penalty 1 (3).
Incidents: Facundo Llosa was warned in the 2nd and 8th chukkers and had to leave the field for two minutes in the final chukker.
Referees: Matías Baibiene and Gastón Lucero. Umpire: Martín Aguerre.
Field: No. 2, Palermo.