Filipina tennis player Alex Eala at the WTA 125 Philippine WOmen's Open, January 29, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA (UPDATED) — The Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee on Tuesday expressed their full support for Filipina tennis star Alex Eala amid the possible sanctions she may receive from the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).
Eala is set to skip the China Open — a WTA 1000 tournament where the world's Top 30 players are mandated to play — in favor of representing the Philippines in the Asian Games in Japan.
The Philippine Tennis Association has filed a request for exemption on Eala's behalf, and some senators on Monday joined in the appeal to the WTA.
READ: Senators lament possible WTA sanction for Alex Eala amid Asiad participation
"The PSC is in close coordination and communication with Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino and PHILTA secretary-general and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco. They have informed me that the official request (for exemption) has already been submitted to the WTA," PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio said.
"Rest assured of the PSC's all-out support. We will continue to assist Alex, PHILTA, and the POC in every way we can," he added.
The PSC has also gotten in touch with the office of Sen. Erwin Tulfo, who had called on the government to step in and support Eala. They also assured Sen. Bong Go, chairman of the Senate committee on sports, that they are taking steps regarding Eala's appeal to the WTA.
"We pray she is granted consideration despite the consequences prescribed in standard rules. Alex Eala's heart and love for the country is golden," Gregorio said.
PHILTA said on Tuesday that Eala will "definitely" play at the Asian Games regardless of the WTA's decision.
The national sports association, however, has "not received any word" from the tennis body regarding their appeal, according to PHILTA Executive Director Tonette Mendoza.
The tennis competition in the Asian Games will open on Sept. 27, with Eala first set to play in the Singapore Open. The Filipina star has been cited as one of the "emerging stars" to look out for in Japan.
POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino praised Eala's love for the country as he hailed her decision to play in the Asiad.
"We can always say that Alex Eala is giving back to her country, to the support Filipinos in the country," he said in a separate statement. "The WTA has its rules and breaking the rules has penalties.But Alex will be in Nagoya, for flag and country."
Eala, now the world No. 18, is seeking to add an Asian Games gold medal to the one she won in the Southeast Asian Games last year.
She won bronze in the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, losing to home bet Zheng Qinwen in the semis.