History repeated itself in a golden way for the Eala family in Bangkok, Thailand. Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra Eala delivered a masterclass performance to capture the women's singles gold medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, etching her name in the annals of Philippine sports on the same stage where her mother triumphed four decades prior.
A Dominant Path to the Podium
The 20-year-old Philippine flag bearer was the undisputed center of attention throughout the tennis competitions at the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand Under His Majesty's Patronage complex. Her campaign began strongly last Monday on Court B, where she dispatched Singapore's Li Xuan Hong with a decisive 6-3, 6-1 victory.
By Wednesday, the Filipino contingent had swelled in numbers and volume during her mixed doubles semifinal match with partner Niño Alcantara. The duo, after winning the first set, eventually fell in a super tiebreak, 7-10, securing a bronze medal for their efforts. The crowd included notable figures from the Philippine tennis community, including coaches and officials, all rallying behind their star.
The Golden Finale Against Home Crowd Favorite
The much-anticipated finals day last Thursday at 10 a.m. presented a unique challenge. Instead of facing top-seeded Indonesian Janice Tjen—a former world No. 53 who retired in the semis—Eala found herself pitted against Thailand's own Mananchaya Sawangkaew. This set the stage for a classic home-and-away showdown, with a drum-beating, passionately vocal Thai crowd firmly behind their player.
However, the world rankings told a clear story: Eala entered at No. 53 globally, while her opponent was ranked No. 240. The match quickly reflected this gap. Despite facing an early love-40 deficit in the opening game, Eala coolly recovered and never looked back. She dictated play with powerful groundstrokes from both wings, showcasing a backhand as formidable as her forehand.
Mixing cross-court forehands with precise down-the-line backhand winners and occasional drop shots, Eala overwhelmed Sawangkaew, who struggled to match the Filipina's firepower. The first set concluded at a rapid 6-1, and the second followed a similar pattern, ending 6-2. The final was a display of calm, confident, and complete control.
A Family Legacy Forty Years in the Making
The victory in Bangkok carries profound personal significance for the Eala family. In a poignant twist of fate, Alex's mother, Rizza Maniego-Eala, also won a SEA Games medal in the same city. Forty years ago, in 1985, Rizza secured a bronze medal for the Philippines in swimming.
This remarkable parallel adds a deeply emotional layer to Alex's gold. The triumph caps an outstanding year for the young champion, following a semifinal run at the prestigious Miami Open and a title win at the Guadalajara 125 tournament. In Bangkok, she didn't just win a medal; she honored a family legacy and solidified her status as the Philippines' brightest tennis star.
