After successful US Open stint, Eala earns shot at national team

Already, the national team beckons for Alex Eala.

National coach Chris Cuarto said Eala will go through playoffs this October in a battle for Philippine team slots for the 30th Southeast Asian Games that the country will host later this year.

If successful, Eala could become the youngest national player in recent memory.

“She has continued to play her tennis to the next level,” Cuarto said. “She is an inspiration to all our junior players that anything is possible given the opportunities and hard work.”

The 14-year-old Eala reached the second round of the girls singles and doubles competitions of the ongoing US Open in New York. It was her first appearance in a Grand Slam tournament and her finish was the best by a Filipino junior netter in recent years.

Prior to the US Open, Eala led the Philippines to an unprecedented fifth place finish in the World Junior Tennis last month in Czech Republic.