Last time I saw Filipinos from all over go gaga over a Filipino athlete was during the time of Manny Pacquiao.

It wasn’t long ago, actually. Until now, people are still crazy over Manny.

Not during the time of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who won the country’s first Olympic gold medal.

Not even during the time of Paris Olympics double gold medalist Carlos Yulo.

But the way Alex Eala has been drawing crowds and getting mainstream media attention from the biggies bring back memories of the time Pacquiao was filling up Las Vegas venues, attracting thousands just to watch him strip and step on the scales.

Didn’t see that when Diaz had her moment. As with Yulo, he did create a buzz.

But the magic was quick to disappear.

I am not sure if people would drop everything if they see them in the mall or on the streets. One, two or three or probably a bit more would ask for pictures and autographs but that’s it.

Not much fanfare.

But with Pacquiao, that was the case. There was pandemonium whenever he would show up in public events.

And during fight night? Chrissakes!

Same thing’s happening with Eala lately.

The Filipinos all over the world are rallying behind her the way they did some years back with Pacquiao.

Before, there was Manny mania.

Now, there’s Alex mania.

Had me wondering why.

Perhaps, it’s because of the sport. Or the respective personalities of the athletes involved.

Compared to tennis and boxing, weightlifting and gymnastics don’t compare.

Nadia Comaneci used to be the face of gymnastics. Then came Mary Lou Retton and recently Simone Biles.

As for weightlifting, we have Lasha Talakhadze, Naim Suleymanoglu and Vasily Alekseyev.

See my point?

Tennis has Jimmy Connors, Joh McEnroe and Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi and more recently Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in men’s play.

In women’s, there’s Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Monica Seles, Venus Williams, Iga Swiatek and today’s top gun, Aryna Sabalenka.

Besides, tennis is more fun watching.

All sports have a dramatic facet, including weightlifting and gymnastics.

But nothing compares to an ace on match point and a one-punch knockout.

What d’ya think?