'Win is a win': Ex-PSC chief on Eala’s Miami Open quarter-final entry

"A win is a win," said former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Noli Eala in a radio interview on Tuesday, commenting on Alex Eala’s unexpected advancement to the Miami Open quarter-finals after Spain's Paula Badosa withdrew due to a lower back injury.

“Tatanggapin natin yan. Medyo unfortunate na nagkaroon ng kapansanan yung kalaban, pero ang panalo ay panalo (We will accept that. It's a bit unfortunate that the opponent got injured, but a win is a win),” he added.

Eala, the 19-year-old Filipina tennis star, was set to face Badosa in the Round of 16 after stunning victories over two Grand Slam champions — world No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko in the Round of 64 and world No. 5 Madison Keys in the Round of 32.

However, Badosa, a former world No. 2 and currently ranked No. 10, had to withdraw, automatically sending Eala to the quarter-finals.

Alex will now face the winner of the match between Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

The former PSC executive acknowledged the tough challenge ahead, emphasizing that both Swiatek and Svitolina are formidable opponents.

“Mabigat kasi alam natin na si Swiatek ay number 1 sa mundo. Kaya medyo mabigat itong laban (It’s tough because we know that Swiatek is number 1 in the world. So this will be a tough match),” he added.

Eala is the first Filipina to defeat a top-10 opponent since the ranking system was established 50 years ago.