PBBM hails Alex Eala's historic WTA finals run

President Marcos congratulated rising tennis star Alex Eala for making history as the first Filipino to reach a Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 250 singles final, calling her feat a victory for the country regardless of the result.

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS and ELLSON QUISMORIO

“Tuloy ang laban, Alex (Keep fighting, Alex)!” Marcos wrote in a Facebook post late Saturday evening, June 28.

“We all watched you make history as the first Filipino to reach a WTA 250 singles final. That alone is already a victory for our country and for the millions of Filipinos who stand proudly behind you,” he added.

According to the President, Eala has made the entire country proud.

“Keep going, your best is yet to come," he said.

The President's message came after Eala fell just short of claiming her maiden WTA title, bowing to Australia's Maya Joint, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (10), in the final of the Lexus Eastbourne International in Great Britain on June 28.

The 20-year-old Eala held four championship points in a hardfought third set but eventually yielded to the 19-year-old Australian, who became the tournament's youngest winner since 1981.