Eala seeks to end 64-year Asian Games title drought

Eala seeks to end 64-year Asian Games title drought | Daily Tribune

The first time a Filipino emerged on top of the medal podium of the Asian Games was when the tandem of Raymundo Deyro and Felicisimo Ampon ruled the men’s doubles event of the Tokyo edition in 1958. Deyro also secured the gold medal while Ampon settled for the silver in the all-Filipino finale of the men’s singles event.

Four years later in the Jakarta edition in 1962, Johnny Jose beat Atsushi Miyagi of Japan in the final to capture the gold medal in the men’s singles event.

Since then, the Filipinos didn’t win an Asian Games gold medal again with the most they achieved were silver medals from Desideria Ampon in the women’s singles event in 1958 in Tokyo, Patricia Yngayo in women’s doubles and mixed doubles events in 1958 in Tokyo and 1968 in Bangkok, and Miguel Dungo Jr. in the men’s doubles event in 1958 in Tokyo.

Philippine Sports Hall of Famer Cecil Mamiit ended a 40-year medal drought when he won two bronze medals in the singles and doubles events in Doha in 2006 before Eala emerged with two bronze medals in the women’s singles event and mixed doubles event with Francis Casey Alcantara in the previous edition of the Asiad in Hangzhou in 2023.

Eala said she wants to turn those bronzes into gold.

“If everything falls into place, the Asian Games is in my plans. It brings a different vibe than when I compete in the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Tour and I always, always enjoy it, especially when I have teammates, when I have Filipino teammates,” Eala said during a press conference in Makati City hosted by Bank of the Philippine Islands.

“The SEA Games last year was an incredible experience for me. I had so much fun. I’m really excited, I’m super motivated and I’m going to give it my best.”

But winning the gold will be anything but easy.

World No. 39 Janice Tjen of Indonesia and Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew and Lanlana Tararudee are expected to be among the top contenders after impressive performances in Wimbledon.

Of course, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan, world No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and reigning Asian Games champion Zheng Qinwen of China are all posing serious threats to Eala’s golden ambition.

A potential rematch with Rybakina would be particularly intriguing after Eala defeated the Kazakh star during the Berlin Tennis Championships last June, while a showdown with Osaka in front of a home Japanese crowd would be among the tournament’s marquee attractions.

Philippine Tennis Association secretary-general John Rey Tiangco remains optimistic that Eala will once again wear the national colors despite her demanding WTA schedule.

“There’s a big chance she could play but nothing is final yet. We’re excited for that,” Tiangco said.

“Although her schedule in the WTA Tour is always packed, she would always prioritize competing for the national team. She wants to represent the Philippines.”

Eala is taking a breather following a grueling grass-court campaign that was highlighted by a Round of 16 run in Wimbledon — a feat no Filipino had ever accomplished in the Open era.

Despite climbing into a new career-high No. 28, Eala believes there is still plenty of room to grow, particularly in managing her emotions during pressure-filled matches.

“My journey in professional tennis has already been so long, but it’s only getting started. I think that one thing I’ve learned about myself is how to control my emotions and how I can dictate my emotions rather than let my emotions dictate me,” Eala said.

“It’s a way of handling myself better. I don’t have a specific round that I say, ‘Oh, I need to reach this.’ The way I approach tournaments is focusing match by match.”