The Philippine women’s tennis team is now assured of at least a bronze medal in SEA Games 2025 following a gutsy win over Vietnam in the women’s team event on Wednesday.
BANGKOK – Experience proved to be the game changer for the Philippine women’s tennis team as they nipped Vietnam in a grueling series of matches in the team event of the SEA Games 2025, 2-1, at the National Tennis Development Center on Wednesday.
Flaunting a youthful roster led by rising WTA star Alex Eala, history with top-level competition helped the Philippines get a one up on Vietnam, who are the reigning SEA Games’ bronze medalists.
Apart from Eala, the experience and leadership also came from 26-year-old Shaira Rivera, who is already competing in her fourth SEA Games. Bemedalled from previous editions, head coach Denise Dy knows that their pedigree will help raise the team to the next level.
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“They’ve been great mentors, you know, they’re great role models in general — whether singles, doubles, or off the court. I think those types of things come a long way and they’ve been doing a great job so far. I think that’s kind of why we’ve had the success we’ve had so far,” Dy told POC Media.
Rivera in particular was the hero for the Philippines against Vietnam, having won her second singles match, 6-2, 6-2, against Thuy Thanh Truc Tran to push the team into a deciding doubles match.
The Philippines narrowly lost in the first match, with SEA Games debutant Alexa Milliam suffering a close decision against Nguyen Savanna Ly, 2-6, 6-4, 6(3)-7 in a showdown that lasted for almost three hours.
Then in the doubles decider, Milliam and Rivera bucked fatigue to gain the win and an assured bronze medal, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.
‘This is only the beginning’
With still more chances at success in the team event and in their individual competitions, Dy is optimistic of what the team has to offer in the 2025 edition of the biennial meet.
As Eala herself is yet to see action, Dy believes that there is more to come for the Filipina netters.
“There’s definitely a lot of potential in this group and I think this is only the beginning,” she said.
Milliam mirrored her coach’s sentiments, eager to bounce back after the narrow loss to a SEA Games veteran.
“Sobrang exciting kasi first time ko maging part ng SEA Games. Tapos, ang dami pang crowd, so, a bit pressured pero binigay ko naman yung best ko,” said Milliam, who is also teammates with Rivera in US NCAA Division 2 school University of West Alabama.
“Keep grinding, you know? Kasi marami pang laban,” she added.
Up next for the Philippines will be a semifinal match against a yet-to-be-determined opponent on Friday, December 12 at the same venue.
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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.