THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will give its full support to Alexandra “Alex” Eala’s gold medal bid in the Asian Games tennis play slated from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 in Nagoya, Japan.
PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said this in a statement on Tuesday following Sen. Erwin Tulfo’s call for the government to support Eala, who faces a potential Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) $10,000 (P626,000) fine for skipping the mandatory 1000 China Open for the Asiad.
World No. 18 Eala and fellow top players are contractually obliged to compete in Grand Slams and 1000-tier tournaments like the China Open.
“The PSC is in close coordination and communication with Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino and Philta secretary-general Mayor John Rey Tiangco. They have informed me that the official request has already been submitted to the WTA,” said Gregorio.
“Rest assured of the PSC’s all-out support. We will continue to assist Alex, Philta (Philippine Tennis Association) and the POC in every way we can.”
Gregorio was referring to the Philippine Tennis Association’s request to the WTA to give Eala an exemption for skipping the China Open and spare her of the penalties.
As of writing, there’s no word whether the WTA denied or approved such a request albeit it already denied a similar request by Indonesian Janice Tjen.
Gregorio admired Eala’s decision to play for the Philippines despite facing the said WTA fine on top of a zero-point penalty and potentially losing year-end bonuses.
“This is for the country. This is clear in Alex’s mind and heart,” said Gregorio.
“That is why we admire and support her 100 percent. Alex is the epitome of a world-class Filipino athlete — she is someone we should all emulate. She always fights for the country.”
P2-million incentive
While Eala stands to lose $10,000, or around P626,000, as a WTA fine for skipping the China Open, she could get that back and then some if she goes on to win the Asian Games gold.
Under Republic Act 10699, Asian Games gold medalists will receive a P2-million incentive from the government while silver and bronze medalists will receive P1 million and P400,000, respectively.
If Eala wins the Asiad gold, she will also qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics through the continental qualification rule.
