Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday congratulated Filipina tennis player Alexandra “Alex” Eala after she advanced to the third round of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships.

Eala, the No. 29 seed in the women’s singles draw, defeated Australia’s Maya Joint, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0, in their second-round match at the All England Club on Thursday, 2 July.

She will face No. 3 seed Iga Swiatek for a spot in the Round of 16.

It was a rematch of the 2025 Eastbourne Open final, where Joint defeated Eala in three sets after saving four championship points.

Go said Eala’s comeback victory at Wimbledon should inspire young Filipino athletes.

Before defeating Joint, Eala opened her Wimbledon campaign with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Mexico’s Renata Zarazua, marking her first main-draw win at Wimbledon.

Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, said Eala’s performance underscores the importance of long-term support for Filipino athletes through quality coaching, training facilities, nutrition and international exposure.

He cited the National Academy of Sports, established under Republic Act 11470, which he authored and co-sponsored. The school, located in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, provides secondary education alongside specialized sports training for student-athletes.

He also pointed at Senate Bill 171, which seeks to establish National Academy of Sports campuses in other regions, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao, and Senate Bill 407, which seeks to amend Republic Act 10699 to expand incentives for para-athletes.