By el Amigo
MANILA — Alexandra Eala’s breakthrough in world tennis and EJ Obiena’s impressive European campaign earned the Filipino stars top billing in the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s August honor roll.
Eala emerged as one of the month’s biggest achievers after winning the WTA 500 Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C., the biggest singles title of her career.
Her championship run included victories over several established stars, among them Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng, Leylah Fernandez, Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka and Jessica Pegula.
The triumph lifted Eala to No. 18 in the world, a new career high and the best ranking ever achieved by a Southeast Asian woman in WTA history.
Obiena was also among August’s standout performers after dominating three European meets.
He cleared 5.91 meters to win the Golden Sand 2026 in Międzyzdroje, Poland, setting a season-best mark and meet record. He then topped competitions in Jockgrim with 5.83 meters and Berlin’s ISTAF with 5.82 meters.
The PSA also recognized Filipino athletes who excelled in obstacle course racing, weightlifting, speed skating, golf and beach volleyball.
The OCR team of Sandi Menchi Abahan, Marites Nocyao, Jeffrey Reginio and Jordan Paul Biollones captured the Mixed 30+ 400-meter crown in Ireland.
Filipino youth and junior lifters hauled 16 gold, six silver and nine bronze medals in Uzbekistan.
Thirteen-year-old Keirsten Layne Fernandez won the Junior C Girls 1,000 meters in India, while 10-year-old golfer Kamilla Guerrero del Mundo ruled the US Kids Golf Girls 10 World Championship in North Carolina.
In Busan, Progella and Pagara won beach volleyball gold, while Rondina and Pons took silver.
ia/xf
