Philippines' Alexandra Eala reacts as she plays against Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova during their women's singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 1, 2025. Glyn Kirk, AFP
MANILA -- Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala will reunite with the Philippine national team on Monday, after flying in from Mallorca in Spain.
This, as the Philippine men's and women's squads finalize their preparations for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The men's team is composed of Ruben Gonzales, Niño Alcantara, AJ Lim, Iggy Pantiño, Jed Olivarez, and coach Joseph Lizardo.
Joining world No. 50 Eala in the women's squad are: Shaira Hope Rivera, Tennielle Madis, Stefi Aludo, and Alexa Joy Milliam. They will be guided by head coach Denise Dy and assistant coach Bobie Angelo.
READ: Alex Eala, Bryan Bagunas named PH's flag-bearers for SEA Games opening
-- Veterans aim to defend titles --
In their sixth SEA Games appearance, doubles specialists Ruben Gonzales and Niño Alcantara said they are more than ready to defend the men's doubles gold medal.
"We're good, we're excited to defend our title. There's going to be a lot of good teams in SEA Games," Alcantara said, citing Thailand and Indonesia as top threats.
Alcantara and Gonzales had won the Philippines' lone tennis gold in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.
AJ Lim shared the same energy as he gears up for another campaign."I'm just really excited to be with the guys, the team… hoping that we can bring home a lot of medals. Hopefully all of us get a medal," he said.
Making his SEA Games debut, collegiate standout and Gentry Open champion Iggy Pantiño said he hopes to rely on his previous experience as he transitions to the national stage.
"Use my experience and just play my game," he said.
For the women's team, first-timers Tennielle Madis and Alexa Milliam expressed their excitement ahead of their maiden SEA Games appearance.
Rivera, now on her fourth SEA Games, offered simple but grounding advice: "Just enjoy. Don't get pressured. Because it's their first time, it's exciting for sure... laban.
Dy, who will be coaching in the SEA Games for the first time, is confident that the women's team is in fine form after their performance in the Billie Jean King Cup in June.
READ: PH beats Pacific Oceania in thriller, advances to promotional playoff
"I think they're ready to go… Everybody's fit and working very very hard," Dy said, citing Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia as their toughest competitions.