Hail Alex the great

CHONBURI – Alex Eala served up an ace for Team Philippines as it scrambles for more victories in the homestretch of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games here.

Hitting the court the morning after Wednesday’s robust nine-gold haul capped by the Filipinas’ historic women’s football triumph, Eala played with her trademark IQ, powerful left-handed groundstrokes and competitive fire to gift the country with the elusive tennis singles victory.

In front of adoring supporters in NonThaburi, the world No. 53 made short work of Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-1, 6-2, to cop her first gold in the SEAG.

Eala’s triumph is valued not only for its contribution to the lean haul on Day 9 but more so for being the Philippines’ first in ladies singles in 26 years. Maricris Fernandez was the last one to do so in 1999.

“I think this is just whole other category playing with the country written on your back and this sort of team event brings a different kind of pressure,” said Eala after wrapping up her second SEAG stint with a gold and a pair of bronze in women’s team and mixed doubles.

“And so I’m happy with how I handled it and my performance everyday,” she added.

Joining Eala in the winner’s roster in what turned out as a slow grind were the Philippine Blu Boys and Michael Ver Comaling in modern pentathlon.

The Blu Boys returned to the SEAG with a vengeance, beating 2019 winner Singapore in the men’s softball finals, 3-0, in Pathum Thani.

Lefty pitcher Jehanz Coro gave up only two hits and extinguished 17 batters he faced to lead the determined Pinoy batters in dethroning the Singaporeans, who beat them for the crown the last time men’s softball was staged six years ago back home in Clark.

Justin Rosales opened scoring for the Philippine clouters in the first inning, whacking Heng Fu Xun Raynard’s 1-1 pitch over the centerfield fence as the Filipino players and supporters at the Queen Sirikit Stadium erupted in celebration.

Lyonas de Leon’s ground-ball to right, coupled by a catching error by third baseman Noorham Huzaifie, enabled the Blu Boys to send Kenneth Torres and Denmark Bathan for a 3-0 cushion.

Comaling, a former Pinoy Big Brother housemate, retained his title in men’s triathle in Pattaya Jomtien Beach, submitting a winning 14:10.17 against Farras Satrio Aris Sugianto of Indonesia.

A rift concerning fencing that turned physical marred Team Philippines’ campaign.

Philippine Fencing Association president Rene Gacuma has complained to chef de mission Raul Canlas against Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez for allegedly physically attacking and insulting him at the sports’ venue. A video of the incident has come out, and went viral.

The issue stemmed from Gomez’ disagreement with PFA’s decision to replace fencer Alexa v Larrazabal, leading to confrontation. Gacuma is considering filing legal complaints against the legislator, who is also PFA director.

With only three mints yesterday, Team Philippines hardly created a dent in the medal derby.

As of 8 p.m. Manila time, the contingent stayed at sixth overall with 41 golds, 59 silvers and 126 bronzes – four triumphs short of fifth-running Malaysia (46-49-108).

But the Filipinos expect to get their medal-hauling machine on an upshift today with finals in traditional sources in play.

Gilas Pilipinas Men advanced to the gold-medal match after surviving a big scare from Indonesia in the semis, 71-68, at Nimibutr Stadium.

The Nationals’ female counterparts also moved in striking position for the tiara after dethroning Indonesia in the Final Four, 66-55.

In men’s volleyball at the Indoor Stadium Huamark, Alas Pilipinas saw its gold-medal aspiration quashed on a 25-20, 25-19, 25-21 defeat to Thailand in their semis duel.

The Filipinos were relegated to the battle for the bronze versus the Vietnamese, who earlier succumbed to the Indonesians, 21-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-10, in the other semis duel earlier.

Eumir Marcial leads three other Pinoy boxers in trying to add to the golden harvest.

Marcial is out for the men’s 80kg plum against Muskita Maikhel Roberrd of Indonesia while Villegas (women’s 50kg), Jay Bryan Baricuatro (men’s 46 to 48kgs) and Flint Jara (54kg) seek the same against Thai opponents Chutamat Raksat, Phlongaurai Thitiwat and Thanarat Saengpet, respectively.