Alex Eala rules SEA Games women’s tennis; Gilas teams reach gold medal round

Alex Eala opened the Philippines’ Thursday campaign at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand with a gold medal—her first in the biennial meet.

Eala defeated hometown bet Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6–1, 6–2, to claim the women’s singles gold.

This is Eala’s third medal in the ongoing edition of the Games, as she was also part of the Philippine team that bagged bronze in the women’s team event, and partnered with Francis Casey Alcantara in mixed doubles, where they also secured bronze.

Aside from Eala, the RP Blu Boys and Michael Ver Comaling also won gold medals in softball and modern pentathlon, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Gilas Pilipinas men’s and women’s teams advanced to the gold medal matches after dispatching their respective opponents in the semifinals.

The women’s team dethroned Indonesia, 66–55, while the men’s team also defeated Indonesia, 71–68, to book spots in the gold medal matches.

Alas Pilipinas Men, meanwhile, were relegated to the bronze medal match in men’s volleyball after losing to Thailand, 25–20, 25–19, 25–21.

The Philippine Men’s National Football Team also suffered a 2–1 loss to Malaysia in the bronze medal match.

The Philippines now has 41 gold medals, 59 silver medals, and 126 bronze medals.

READ MORE | LIST: 2025 SEA Games medalists from the Philippines (December 18, 2025)

—JKC, GMA Integrated News