The Philippine Tennis Association beamed with pride as 20-year-old Alex Eala becomes the country’s flag bearer in SEA Games 2025.
BANGKOK — Alex Eala will be raising the flag, literally, as one of two flag bearers for Team Philippines in the opening ceremonies of SEA Games 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday evening at the Rajamangala National Stadium.
Eala, 20, will be suiting up for her second SEA Games stint after first playing in the Vietnam SEA Games in 2022.
In a message to the POC Media Pool here on Tuesday, Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Secretary General John Rey Tiangco expressed his confidence in the team’s campaign, as well as his honor in having Eala as one of the flag bearers.
[READ: Alex Eala, Bryan Bagunas chosen as Philippine flagbearers in SEA Games 2025]
“Our men and women's teams are in high spirits and have prepared well for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. Adding to the excitement is Alex Eala's participation as one of the flagbearers for the Philippines, for which I am very happy and grateful,” he said.
The WTA No. 52 tennister is set to offer a boost to the national team, which also includes Eric Olivarez, Alberto Lim, Alexa Milliam, Francis Alcantara, Ruben Gonzales, Shaira Rivera, Tennielle Madis, Stefi Aludo, and Arthur Craig Pantino.
But as flag bearer with Alas Pilipinas Men skipper Bryan Bagunas, Tiangco hopes Eala's boost also extends beyond tennis.
“Not only does her presence inspire our tennis squads, but it also inspires the entire 1,600-strong Philippine delegation. We hope that tennis will continue to be a source of pride and honor for the country with the help of Alex Eala and her other talented teammates,” he said.
The SEA Games tennis event begins on Wednesday, December 10, with the men’s and women’s team competition while the singles and doubles competitions are slated to begin on Sunday, December 14.
All tennis events are held at the National Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.