By REYNALD MAGALLON
BANGKOK — Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala took pride in singing the national anthem while standing on the podium after finally winning a gold medal for Team Philippines in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Thursday, Dec. 18.
Eala turned a bit emotional as the national anthem was being played inside the National Tennis Development Center in Nothonburi.
“Yan yung pinaka nakakaiyak sa akin is yung one day playing Lupang Hinirang and matagal ko nang pinapangarap iyon na ako yung makakadala ng ganung pride sa Pilipinas,” said Eala
And it wasn’t only Eala but also the fans who stayed at the venue and waited for the medal ceremony.
Of course, the national anthem hasn’t been played at the end of the tennis competitions in the SEA Games for the last 26 years or since Maricris Fernandez won in 1999.
“I’m so thankful I’m so humbled to be able to represent the country,” she added followng a
Eala said it has been a different kind of experience as compared to her tournaments in WTA Tours.
“I think this is just a whole another category playing with the country written at your back and playing with these sort of team events just bring a different kind of pressure,” said Eala
“I am happy how I handled it in my performance,” she added.
Eala said she is taking a quick break and then will immediately return to her preparations for the Australian Open set in January.
