Alex Eala honors late grandpa, her first-ever coach, ahead of QF vs. Osorio

Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala said it “feels good” to score two straight wins at home, as she continues her run in the Philippine Women’s Open (WTA 125) at the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Eala said during her post game media briefing Wednesday night that her back-to-back victories hit differently in Manila, where Filipino fans can finally watch her up close, and see her win in person.

“Feel good to have these two wins at home, you know nakakita rin yung mga tao na may panalo ako dito [to have the fans see me win here] and it feels good to have those two wins at home,” she said.

But beyond the wins, Eala also turned reflective, sharing how she continues to draw strength from the person she credits as her first coach: her late grandfather, whom she fondly calls “Papa Lolo,” Roberto “Bobby” Maniego.

Asked by GMA Integrated News how she processes her momentum in the tournament and how she remembers her first coach, Eala said her grandfather’s influence remains deeply present in both her career and her toughest moments.

“My lolo was a very a big part of my life and my early career,” Eala said. “ He was my coach ever since I started before I moved to Spain and pinapag-isipan ko siya [I think of him] every once in a while when I have good results.”

Eala has honored and thanked Maniego publicly, especially after his passing, saying his sacrifices and support are part of what continues to drive her.

In her post-game media briefing, Eala shared that even now, she still catches herself imagining how her grandfather would have reacted seeing everything she has achieved so far.

“Sometimes I think what he would tell me or how he would feel or how he would look or how he would react if he saw all that I’ve achieved today,” Eala said. “But he’s always been so supportive and he’s sacrificed a lot for me.”

Eala advanced after beating Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume 6–4, 6–0, in a match that turned tense early before Eala took control.

The opening set tested Eala’s composure, with Sakatsume generating chances—but Eala saved four break points, then won three straight games to take the first set.

At one point in the second set, Eala was seen fixing a medical bandage on her right thigh, after previously dealing with discomfort earlier in the tournament.

Still, Eala’s level surged as the match went on. Sakatsume’s game fell apart in the second set, and Eala closed it out with a commanding run to seal her spot in the next round.

Eala is set to face Colombia’s Camila Osorio in the quarterfinals, as her home campaign continues, with a fired-up crowd behind her, and the memory of her first coach never far away. — BM, GMA Integrated News