THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on Tuesday vowed its all-out support as tennis star Alex Eala prepares to fly the flag at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya under the threat of penalties for skipping a mandatory WTA tournament.
Eala, 21, had to miss out on the China Open in Beijing - a WTA 1000 tournament that is mandatory for Top 30 players like herself - to be part of the Philippine contingent in the Asiad, where she won bronze the last time in Hangzhou.
READ POC, PSC urged to help as Eala risks penalty for Asiad campaign
The decision, however, brings in the threat of sanctions, both monetary and in terms of ranking points lost that could derail Eala's climb up the world rankings.
She is currently ranked No. 18 in the world.
The Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) has already filed an appeal on Eala's behalf, citing 'patriotic duty' in its bid for an exemption for the Filipina rising star. The WTA has het to respond to the Philippine appeal.
On Monday, Senator Erwin Tulfo urged the PSC, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and other relevant agencies to step in and make Eala feel that her sacrifices for flag and country is appreciated.
Pato Gregorio assurance
"The PSC is in close coordination and communication with POC president Bambol Tolentino and Philta secretary general Mayor John Rey Tiangco," said PSC chairman Patrick 'Pato' Gregorio on Tuesday.
"[Philta officials] have informed me that the official request has already been submitted to the WTA. Rest assured of the PSC’s all-out support. We will continue to assist Alex, Philta, and the POC in every way we can.
“Para sa bayan ito. Malinaw ito sa isip at puso ni Alex. That is why we admire and support her 100 percent. Alex is the epitome of a world-class Filipino athlete — atin po itong tularan," the PSC chief added.
Tolentino, on the other hand, praised Eala's 'patriotic heart.'
“We can always say that Alex Eala is giving back to her country, to the support Filipinos in the country and where ever she competes, they have amazingly established that global ‘Eala Mania,’” Tolentino said.
“The WTA has its rules and breaking the rules has penalties,” he added. “But Alex will be in Nagoya, for flag and country.”
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