Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is off to a winning start in the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Eala defeated Malaysia’s Shihomi Leong, 6-3, 6-1, in the quarterfinals of the women’s singles competition yesterday afternoon at the Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

The victory assured her of at least a bronze in the event.

“Very happy with the first round,” Eala said in a brief interview with POC Media afterward. “Masaya ako sa crowd, marami nanood. Maraming salamat sa suporta.”

Eala, who is making her second appearance in the SEA Games, is tipped as one of the Philippines’ brightest medal hopes after her breakout campaign on the WTA Tour this year.

She, along with men’s volleyball captain Bryan Bagunas, were the country’s flag-bearers during the opening ceremonies of the SEA Games.

Eala was listed in the Philippines’ roster for the team event, but did not see action as the squad went on to win bronze.

She will return to the court in the afternoon, teaming up with Niño Alcantara in the mixed doubles after receiving a bye in the round-of-16. (ABS-CBN News)