How special is SEA Games gold quest to Alex Eala?

CHONBURI, Thailand – Alex Eala has played on the biggest stages, but there is something about winning in the Southeast Asian Games.

The Filipina tennis star captured her first SEA Games gold medal after ruling the women’s singles event with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 win over Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew at the National Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi on Thursday, December 18.

“I think this is just a whole ‘nother category,” Eala said when asked where she would rank her SEA Games conquest among her many historic feats in 2025, which include a career-high No. 50 ranking and a main draw victory in the US Open.

“Playing with the country written on your back and this sort of team events just bring a different kind of pressure. I’m so happy with how I handled it and my performance every day on court.”

The gold had remained elusive for Eala as she settled for three bronzes in the 2021 Vietnam edition and another one in this SEA Games, when she and partner Francis Casey Alcantara lost in the semifinals of the mixed doubles on Wednesday, December 17. 

But there was no denying Eala on Thursday as she made quick work of Sawangkaew, becoming the first Filipina to win the women’s singles title in the SEA Games since Maricris Fernandez reigned in 1999. 

Having the national anthem played for her for the first time in the SEA Games left Eala emotional.

“I’d been dreaming for a long time to bring that kind of pride to the Philippines. I’m so thankful and I’m so humbled to be able to represent our country,” she said. 

And to share her triumph with her mother Rizza and father Mike, who have been by her side since the start of the SEA Games, made it even more special.

Rizza is also a SEA Games medalist, bagging a swimming bronze in the women’s 100m backstroke in 1985. 

“Us Filipinos, we’re so family oriented. That’s a part of our culture. SEA Games is something, it’s very different than the tour because it’s very personal for us, personal to the Southeast Asian countries, and it’s special in that way,” Eala said. 

“It’s unique. It doesn’t happen every time. That’s why it’s that important to our family.” – Rappler.com