Filipina tennis star Alex Eala has ended a 26-year gold medal drought for the Philippines in women's singles at the Southeast Asian Games, delivering a dominant performance on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Eala's Golden Victory on Thai Soil
Competing at the National Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi, Thailand, the world No. 52 overcame a slow start to defeat home favorite Mananchaya Sawangkaew with a convincing score of 6-1, 6-2. This triumph marks Eala's first-ever SEA Games gold medal and etches her name alongside past Filipino champions Pia Tamayo (1981) and Maricris Fernandez (1999).
Despite facing early pressure, including a double break point in the very first game, Eala showcased her champion's mentality. She rallied to win five consecutive games, seizing control of the opening set. Her resilience was further tested in the third game, where she survived three deuces to secure a commanding 3-0 lead.
A Year of Historic Firsts
This gold medal caps a remarkable year for the 20-year-old phenom. Eala became the first Filipino to play in a Grand Slam main draw in the Open Era and successfully broke into the prestigious WTA Top 50 rankings. Her SEA Games victory solidifies her status as the nation's premier tennis export.
In the second set, after trading games early, Eala capitalized on her opponent's errors, including a critical double fault, to take a 3-2 advantage. From that point, the world No. 52 never allowed the scrappy No. 240-ranked Sawangkaew a path back into the match, sweeping the remaining games to claim the title.
Double Gold Delight: Football Makes History
The Philippines celebrated another monumental victory just one day prior, as the women's national football team, the Filipinas, clinched their first-ever SEA Games gold medal. In a heart-stopping final on Wednesday night at Chonburi Daikin Stadium, they dethroned eight-time champions Vietnam in a 6-5 penalty shootout.
Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel emerged as the hero, making a crucial save against Tran Thi Thu, while Jaclyn Sawicki converted the go-ahead spot kick. This victory followed a hard-fought semifinal where the team also won via penalties against host nation Thailand after a 1-1 draw.
"I'm so proud of this team, so proud to be a Filipino and playing for our country," an emotional McDaniel stated after the match. Team captain Hali Long emphasized their unwavering determination: "We never wanted to end on a loss; we're going to win gold or we're going to win bronze. We gave ourselves no choice, so the gold was ours for the taking."
These back-to-back gold medals in tennis and women's football represent a watershed moment for Philippine sports, showcasing the rising caliber of Filipino athletes on the regional stage and inspiring a new generation.
