The Philippine National Tennis Team enters the 33rd SEA Games with a competitive roster headlined by top Filipina athlete Alex Eala. With both the men’s and women’s squads fielding a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, the Philippine National Tennis Team aims to deliver strong performances across singles, doubles, and mixed events. As the tournament progresses, Juan Sports takes a closer look at the national roster and the athletes representing the country on the regional stage.
Alex Eala Leads the Women’s Tennis Squad
World No. 50 Alex Eala headlines the women’s roster of the Philippine National Tennis Team for the 33rd SEA Games, bringing international experience and championship pedigree to Thailand. Her return to national duty adds significant strength to the Philippine National Tennis Team’s medal campaign, with coaches and teammates expressing confidence in her ability to anchor the squad across multiple events.
Picture by Glyn Kirk
Eala enters the SEA Games after a standout year on the professional circuit. She made Philippine tennis history in August by becoming the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam match in the Open era, defeating 14th seed Clara Tauson in a dramatic three-set thriller at the US Open. She later earned a wild-card berth at the Miami Open, where she stunned three Grand Slam champions—including Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek—to reach the semifinals. Her momentum continued in September as she captured her first WTA singles title at the Guadalajara 125.
Women’s head coach Denise Dy believes Eala’s presence greatly elevates the country’s prospects, noting her poise, discipline, and world-class level of play. “Having someone of her caliber is exciting,” Dy shared. “She’s a genuine contender for gold, and her confidence lifts the rest of the team.”
Eala arrived from her training base in Mallorca to reunite with the national squad as they finalize preparations for the SEA Games. Her leadership and competitive mindset set the tone for a women’s lineup that blends experience with rising talent, giving the Philippines a strong foundation heading into tournament play.
Women’s Tennis Lineup
The women’s roster of the Philippine National Tennis Team features a strong combination of international experience, collegiate success, and rising junior talent. Led by Alex Eala, the group enters the SEA Games with depth across all categories and a mix of proven performers and promising debutants.
Picture by Jean Malanum
Women’s Tennis – Official Lineup
- Alexandra Eala
- Stefi Marithe Aludo
- Tennielle Madis
- Alexa Joy Milliam
- Shaira Hope Rivera
Alongside Eala, three-time SEA Games competitor Shaira Hope Rivera provides leadership and familiarity with regional competition. Rivera, now in her fourth SEA Games appearance, plays a key mentoring role for the younger members of the squad, reminding them to enjoy the moment, stay composed, and trust their preparation.
The women’s roster of the Philippine National Tennis Team also welcomes several new faces eager to make their mark. Tennielle Madis enters the SEA Games following an impressive run on the junior and national circuit, most notably sweeping the ITF J30 Manila leg. Her surge in 2024 included singles titles at the Philippine Columbian Association Open, Gentry Open, and Olivarez Cup, along with multiple doubles victories alongside teammate Stefi Aludo. Madis expressed her excitement about her SEA Games debut, acknowledging the physical and mental demands of international play but emphasizing her readiness for the challenge.
Stefi Marithe Aludo and Alexa Joy Milliam round out the group of first-time SEA Games competitors, bringing energy and additional depth to the lineup. Their recent performances on the local and international courts have shown consistency, making them valuable contributors for both singles and doubles formats.
The women’s roster of the Philippine National Tennis Team is guided by head coach Denise Dy and assistant coach Bobbie Angelo, who have worked closely with the squad through the year’s major competitions, including the Billie Jean King Cup last June. Dy noted that the group is physically prepared and mentally focused heading into the SEA Games, identifying Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia as their biggest challenges in the women’s draw.
Men’s Tennis Lineup
The men’s roster of the Philippine National Tennis Team brings together experience, championship pedigree, and fresh talent as they prepare for the SEA Games 2025. The squad features veterans who have delivered medals for the Philippines, along with newcomers ready to step onto the regional stage.
Men’s Tennis – Official Lineup
- Francis Casey Alcantara
- Ruben Gonzales Jr.
- Alberto Lim Jr.
- Eric Olivarez Jr.
- Arthur Craig Pantino
The men’s roster of the Philippine National Tennis Team enters the SEA Games with strong momentum, anchored by doubles specialists Ruben Gonzales Jr. and Francis Casey Alcantara, who are set to compete in their sixth SEA Games. The pair delivered the country’s lone tennis gold medal in the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games and are now determined to defend their title in Thailand. Alcantara acknowledged the strength of their competitors—particularly Thailand and Indonesia—but expressed excitement and confidence heading into the tournament.
Alberto Lim Jr. and Eric Olivarez Jr. provide stability to the singles lineup, bringing years of national and international experience to the team. Both players have been consistent contributors in previous SEA Games editions and remain key assets in both singles and doubles play.
Rounding out the roster of the Philippine National Tennis Team is rising talent Arthur Craig Pantino, who makes his SEA Games debut after a successful collegiate and national campaign. The Gentry Open champion shared that he plans to rely on his prior tournament experience as he transitions onto the SEA Games stage, focusing on staying composed and playing his natural game.
The squad is guided by head coach Joseph Lizardo, a former Davis Cup player who has helped shape the Philippine National Tennis Team’s tactical approach. Under his leadership, the men’s team recently competed in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone qualifier in Malaysia, where they swept all four matches—including a decisive 2–0 win over Kyrgyzstan—to secure promotion to Group 3. This strong performance provides added confidence as they enter this year’s SEA Games.
With a mix of veteran presence and emerging potential, the men’s lineup stands as a competitive force, aiming to secure podium finishes across singles, doubles, and team events.
Tournament Preview: Key Opponents & Event Breakdown
As the Philippine National Tennis Team prepares for competition in Thailand, both the men’s and women’s squads face a challenging field featuring some of Southeast Asia’s strongest players. The 33rd SEA Games tennis tournament will be held at the National Tennis Development Center in Muang Thong Thani, with athletes competing across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events. For more updates on tennis across Asia, visit the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF).
Women’s Field
The women’s division features several top regional contenders. Host Thailand is led by Mai Sawangkaew and Ruangkhaw Thararudee, both known for their consistency and strong baseline play. Indonesia enters with defending singles champion Madelyn Nugroho and rising player Janice Chen, while Vietnam is represented by Savannah Ly Nguyen, a bronze medalist from the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.
Against this competitive field, the Philippines is expected to rely heavily on Alex Eala’s world-class experience, complemented by the depth provided by Rivera, Madis, Aludo, and Milliam. Their combination of youth and experience positions the roster of the Philippine National Tennis Team well for events across singles and doubles.
Men’s Field
In the men’s draw, several countries are also expected to challenge the Philippine squad. Thailand and Indonesia continue to field powerful singles and doubles specialists, while other nations in the region have strengthened their programs ahead of the SEA Games. With the Philippines sending seasoned competitors in Alcantara, Gonzales, Lim, and Olivarez—along with debutante Pantino—the team enters with confidence and aims to compete for podium finishes in multiple events.
Event Categories
Tennis at the SEA Games typically includes:
- Men’s Singles
- Women’s Singles
- Men’s Doubles
- Women’s Doubles
- Mixed Doubles
- (Optional depending on host) Team Events
The Philippines is expected to field entries in all available categories, maximizing medal opportunities for both squads. With the women strengthened by Eala’s presence and the men powered by their reigning doubles champions, the roster of the Philippine National Tennis Team aims for improved results across the board.
Opening Matches & Early Performance
With tennis scheduled to begin after the SEA Games opening ceremony, the Philippine National Tennis Team spent the past week finalizing its preparations in Thailand. Both the men’s and women’s squads arrived early to acclimate to the conditions at the National Tennis Development Center in Muang Thong Thani, where the tournament will take place.
World No. 50 Alex Eala rejoined the team after flying in from Mallorca, Spain, completing the women’s roster of the Philippine National Tennis Team ahead of the competition. Her arrival boosted the team’s confidence, especially as they sharpened match routines and adjusted to the playing surface and environment. Head coach Denise Dy noted that the women have been responding well in practice, building on their recent Billie Jean King Cup experience.
On the men’s side, coach Joseph Lizardo oversaw the team’s final tune-up sessions, focusing on doubles coordination and singles match play. The group benefited from the momentum of their Davis Cup promotion earlier this year, bringing added confidence into the SEA Games.
While official matches have yet to begin, the early training sessions showed strong form from both squads. With veterans returning, promising newcomers stepping up, and the entire team acclimated to the venue, the Philippines enters the tournament poised for a competitive run once play officially starts.
Conclusion
With preparations in full swing, the Philippine National Tennis Team enters the 33rd SEA Games with renewed confidence and a balanced mix of experience and emerging talent. Led by world-ranked standout Alex Eala and supported by seasoned players and promising newcomers across both squads, the team is poised for a strong showing once tournament play begins in Thailand. As the competition unfolds, Juan Sports will continue to follow the team’s progress, highlighting key performances and results as the Philippine National Tennis Team aims for improved finishes in this year’s tennis campaign.
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