Alex the hero

It's time for me to take it, I'm the boss right now Not gonna fake it, not when you go down 'Cause this is my game And you better come to play — Demi Lovato, "Confident"

- By BILL VELASCO

The miracle run of Alex Eala at the Miami Open ended with a semifinal loss to fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula yesterday, 6-7, 7-5, 3-6.

Unable to capitalize on the American's second serves, the equally fatigued teen hit into the net to her own ending. Nevertheless, the young wild card drew general praise for making history for successive triumphs during the tournament.

Everyone quickly grasped the gravitas of her historic accomplishments. We could all suddenly recite the significance of what she has done. Eala consecutively beat Grand Slam winners, jumped from 140th to 75th in the Women's Tennis Association rankings, and is the first Filipino tennis player to do so. And she remained true to who she was, finding it hard to believe what she herself accomplished. Filipinos love a great underdog story, humility in success, and hard work. It is the Filipino way.