Senators Erwin Tulfo and Bong Go on Monday, September 14, called on the government and the Philippine Tennis Association (PhilTA) to support Filipino tennis star Alex Eala after she chose to represent the Philippines at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, instead of competing in the mandatory WTA 1000 China Open.
During the Senate session, Tulfo urged the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and other concerned agencies to find a lawful way to assist Eala should she face the reported US$10,000 fine for skipping the Beijing tournament, which overlaps with the Asian Games tennis competition.
“Hindi natin dapat ilagay si Alex sa sitwasyon na kailangan niyang mamili. Pinili niya po na maglaro para sa Pilipinas sa halip na para sa kanyang professional career,” Tulfo said.
He added, “Alex, kung ito ang iyong pinili, hindi ka nag-iisa. The Philippines should stand with you.”
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Sports, likewise expressed full support for Eala and appealed to the WTA to consider the circumstances of her decision and grant her an exemption from possible penalties.
“I love and fully support Alex Eala's decision to represent the Philippines in the 2026 Asian Games,” Go said, noting that Eala chose to compete for the country despite possible fines and sanctions.
“Sa palagay ko po, hindi dapat maparusahan ang isang atleta dahil pinili niyang katawanin ang ating bandila,” he added.
Eala has committed to the Philippine national team since 2021 and is seeking to improve on her bronze-medal finish in the women’s singles event at the 2022 Asian Games. The China Open is scheduled from September 30 to October 11, while the Asian Games tennis competition runs from September 27 to October 2.
Go also said the situation highlights the need for policies that would give Filipino athletes every reasonable opportunity to compete for the national team, including possible legislation requiring national-team commitments to receive priority when athletes are called to represent the country.
