Lance Joseph Martinez

Alex Eala Ends 26-Year Gold Drought, Delivers Historic SEA Games Triumph for Philippine Tennis

Article (news)

<p>Indeed, she truly is the golden girl of Philippine sports!</p><p>Another milestone has been added to <strong>Alex Eala&rsquo;s</strong> growing list of achievements as the Filipino tennis ace once again delivered golden glory for the <strong>Philippines</strong> at the <strong>2025 Southeast Asian Games</strong> in Thailand.</p><div><br></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766038726310597376742_1370935691748350_2780277178989167947_n.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from POC Media Pool via ABS-CBN News</span></span></span>&nbsp;</div><p>Eala captured the <strong>women&rsquo;s singles gold medal&nbsp;</strong>after overpowering home crowd favorite <strong>Mananchaya Sawangkaew</strong> in straight sets, 6&ndash;1, 6&ndash;2, marking a historic moment for Philippine tennis.</p><p>With the victory, Eala ended a 26-year gold medal drought in women&rsquo;s singles tennis at the SEA Games, a title last won by <strong>Maricris Fernandez</strong> in 1999. She also became the first Filipina to reach the gold medal match since<strong>&nbsp;Clarice Patrimonio&rsquo;s</strong> silver-medal finish at the <strong>2017 SEA Games</strong> in Kuala Lumpur, further cementing her place in the country&rsquo;s sporting history.</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766038744771598983798_1370935471748372_6034634689823762735_n.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from POC Media Pool via ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766038759749597900490_1370935455081707_2662762012675110545_n.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from POC Media Pool via ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><p>Ranked world No. 53, Eala showed composure and grit despite an early scare, recovering from a 0&ndash;40 deficit in the opening game before asserting her dominance in the first set. Although world No. 137 Mananchaya attempted a comeback, Eala cruised to a 6&ndash;1 opening-set win. The Thai bet briefly threatened in the second set by leveling the score at 2&ndash;2, but Eala quickly shut the door, winning the remaining games with authority to seal the match.</p><p>The gold medal is Eala&rsquo;s sixth SEA Games medal overall and her third in the 33rd edition in Bangkok, having earlier claimed bronze medals in the women&rsquo;s team and mixed doubles events.</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766038775747598696125_1370935601748359_3003425499244076504_n.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from POC Media Pool via ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><p>This latest triumph comes just months after another career-defining feat, when Eala captured the country&rsquo;s first-ever <strong>WTA</strong> title. She staged a remarkable comeback to defeat <strong>Hungary&rsquo;s Panna Udvardy,</strong> 1&ndash;6, 7&ndash;5, 6&ndash;3, to win the <strong>WTA 125</strong> title at the <strong>2025 Guadalajara 125 Open</strong> in September.</p><div><br></div><div><strong>Related: List:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://metro.style/people/2025/9/8/list-alex-eala-s-historic-milestones-in-tennis-so-far-1230"><strong>Alex Eala&rsquo;s Historic Milestones in Tennis So Far</strong></a></div><div><br></div><p>As of December 18 at 9 AM, according to the <strong>Philippine Sports Commission</strong>, the Philippines currently ranks sixth overall in the SEA Games medal standings, with a total of <strong>213 medals</strong>&mdash;38 gold, 55 silver, and 120 bronze.&nbsp;</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766038825930600449620_1303918465104694_2111525345914483498_n.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from Philippine Sports Commission</span></span></span></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>POC Media Pool</strong> via <strong>ABS-CBN News</strong><strong></strong><br></p>