Senate sports committee chair Sen. Bong Go has backed Alex Eala's decision to play the 2026 Asian Games over the mandatory WTA 1000 China Open, and joined PHILTA's appeal for a WTA exemption.
"I laud and fully support Alex Eala's decision to represent the Philippines in the 2026 Asian Games," Go said Monday, GMA News reports. "Alex had the opportunity to compete in the China Open, a mandatory WTA1000 tournament, but she chose instead to represent our country and compete for the flag even if there were possible fines and penalties."
Go said he joins the Philippine Tennis Association "in respectfully appealing to the WTA to consider the exceptional circumstances of Alex' case and grant her the requested exemption from any penalty or sanction."
The two events clash. Asian Games tennis runs September 27 to October 3 in Nagoya; the China Open in Beijing runs September 30 to October 11. If the waiver is denied, Eala could face a $10,000 fine and a zero-pointer that hurts her ranking. The WTA has not yet decided.
"Alex will definitely play at the Asian Games regardless of the WTA decision," PHILTA executive director Tonette Mendoza said, The National reports. Indonesia's Janice Tjen has opted out of the Games after her exemption was denied.
For Eala, 21 and world No. 18, the pull is simple. "The Asian Games happen once every four years. I just found myself drawn to compete in that over other stuff," she said, The Straits Times reports.
She is aiming for gold in Nagoya and to strengthen her bid for LA 2028.
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