The tennis courts inside the Rizal Memorial Complex are almost ready to host the first ever Philippine Women’s Open featuring the country's bet, Alex Eala.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Pato Gregorio is over the moon Filipino star Alex Eala is back in Manila ahead of the Philippine Women’s Open.
Fresh from her maiden Australia Open stint, Eala headlines the inaugural WTA event inside the newly-refurbished Rizal Memorial Complex.
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“This is what we’ve been waiting for. Alam mo dapat lang (na maglaro siya) e, 'di ba?” Gregorio told reporters during the opening of the refurbished Media Center at the PSC headquarters.
The country’s sports chief added it is only imperative the PSC make the most of Eala and tennis growth here.
Eala is currently ranked a career-high 49th.
“Realization ko rin yan as chairman na pag meron talagang magaling na Pilipnong atleta na nandyan sa international, sa world stage, it is a must we organize something to host them in the Philippines,” he said.
But Gregorio was also quick to urge Filipinos to watch not just their bet but other world-class tennis players locking horns in Manila.
The former PBA chair assured fans are going to get their money’s worth in the Jan. 26-31 conclave.
“Hindi lang naman si Alex magandang panoorin diyan. These are world class tennis players. Lahat po ng laro dyan sulit, lahat po ng laro dyan dapat panoorin,” he said.
“We have to take advantage of this so we can grow WTA in Manila. Siguro ngayon 125, next year 250. By 2028 500 or 1000 kung man ganun. It’s really good for Philippine tennis.”
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.