Alex Eala winning her first singles gold medal from the Southeast Asian Games was truly a sight to behold for Philippine women’s tennis team coach Denise Dy, a SEA Games gold medalist herself.
Alex Eala etched her name into Philippine tennis history once again, thanks to her run to the gold medal at the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand.
Dominating her field, Eala swept her way to victory in women's singles, adding a shiny gold to her bronze medals from the team and mixed events.
Among her biggest supporters in Thailand was Denise Dy, the head coach for the women’s tennis team.
Unbeknownst to most people, Dy similarly achieved the milestones that 20-year-old Eala chased in Bangkok — being a two-time SEA Games gold medalist herself.
Dy accomplished her feat in mixed doubles from Jakarta 2011 and again in Singapore 2015, and was finally happy to see a singles gold medal through Eala as a coach.
“I think at least for the women's singles, I don't think there has been a winner for the last couple decades," Dy told POC Media on Alex's feat.
"So I think this is an incredible achievement for the country and even for our sport. So I'm just super happy and proud for all of us."
Despite competing in the SEA Games as national team player from 2005 in Manila to 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Dy was unable to witness a single gold medal in women’s singles during her time, with the last being Maricris Fernandez-Gentz back in 1999.
[RELATED: Alex Eala admits winning SEA Games tennis gold after breakout year feels ‘very personal’]
But now with a new hat as a coach, she was finally able to see the fruits of their labor with a breakthrough gold medal.
To see is to believe
For Dy, Eala’s achievement is more than just for personal glory.
Rather, with the WTA no. 53 drawing large crowds to Bangkok and wherever she plays on Tour, Dy hopes that Eala's success can help Philippine tennis grow in ways that's never been done before.
“I think it just shows the potential that anybody can have by playing our sport. And if you do believe, you can accomplish anything,” she said.
Especially with the first-ever Philippine Women's Open coming in January 2026, Dy is optimistic of what can happen for tennis in the Philippines.
“Yeah, I think you'll see definitely a couple of SEA Games participants from there. I think some of us, including myself, are going to go back to Division 1, Division 2 college tennis starting January. So even though we're not going to be out there, we'll be there in spirit,” Dy said.
“And we will also be competing, getting ready for the future.” she continued.
The Philippines finished with five medals in the SEA Games 2025 — Eala’s gold and a bronze she won in mixed doubles with Niño Alcantara, as well as bronze medals for men’s and women’s doubles and the men’s and women’s team events.
—
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.