Alex Eala’s giant-killing run big win for Philippine sports

1Pacman Rep. Mikee Romero and Mandy Romero pose with Alex Eala after her semi-final match. —Photo from Mikee Romero MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala’s remarkable giant-killing run at the highest level of tennis competition inspires more young Filipinas to engage in sports and contribute to elevating Philippine sports to international standards.

Rep. Mikee Romero of the 1Pacman party list made the remark as he personally congratulated Eala on Thursday in Miami, where she stunned the women’s tennis world by defeating three of the world’s top players and extending another to three sets in the Miami Open tennis championship. Romero and his daughter Mandy watched at Hard Rock Stadium as the 19-year-old Eala pushed world No.

4 Jessica Pegula to her limits in a thrilling semifinal match before bowing out — ending an incredible streak that saw her eliminate No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland, No. 5 Madison Keys of the United States, and No.

25 Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia. She did not drop a single set on her way to the semifinals. Eala, ranked 140th in the world and a wild-card entry in the event, earned $332,160 in prize money and 400 points in the world rankings.

More importantly, she won the admiration of her opponents and the tennis world with her steady game and mature demeanor. She was the 2022 US Open girls’ champion. “Alex Eala is a shining example of how perseverance, dedication, and discipline can propel Filipinos to the highest levels in any sport,” Romero stated after meeting with her post-match.

Romero, who is in Wellington, Florida, to compete in the US Open Polo Championship with his team GlobalPort, made the 70-mile drive to Miami to watch Eala’s historic semifinal performance. “Every Filipino should be inspired and be proud of what she has accomplished, Romero said. Romero, a well-known patron and advocate of sports such as basketball, volleyball, shooting, cycling, and polo, is stepping down after nine years as the 1Pacman party-list congressman, which has championed youth and sports development as the party’s main platform.

He is handing the reins of 1Pacman to his daughter, Milka — a former varsity football player and a dedicated sports patron who has advocated for increased representation of Filipino women in sports. “It is fitting that Alex Eala delivered such an uplifting performance during Women’s Month (March),” Milka Romero said. “Her success should inspire more young Filipinas to pursue their athletic dreams with the same perseverance and dedication to excellence.

” Milka said Eala joins a growing list of Filipinas who have achieved world recognition in sports. This list includes weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who made history by winning the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal, and Yuka Saso, who captured the gold in women’s golf at the Asian Games and won the first of her two US Open golf championships as a Filipina. The list also includes Nesthy Petecio (boxing), Rubilyn Amit (billiards), Bong Coo (bowling), Margielyn Didal (skateboarding), Rianne Maliksi (amateur golf), Dorothy Delasin and Bianca Pagdanganan (professional golf), and the Filipinas, Philippine team that qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and achieved a historic win against New Zealand.

“The women are a gold mine in Philippine sports,” Milka added. “We must continue to invest in women’s sports and nurture more talented athletes who can shine on the world stage.” Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address.

I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Eala’s remarkable run at the Miami Open is not only a personal triumph but also a beacon of hope for aspiring Filipino athletes. Her success underscores the potential of Philippine sports and highlights the importance of sustained support for young athletes striving for excellence on the international stage, she said.

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