SENATOR Erwin Tulfo on Monday urged sports officials to extend help and 'stand by Alex Eala' as the Filipina tennis sensation risks penalties for choosing to play at the 20th Asian Games instead of a WTA 1000 tournament in China.
In a manifestation at the Senate on Monday, Tulfo said the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (POC) should offer support if Eala is penalized for skipping the China tournament to fly the flag at the Nagoya Asiad.
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More than the financial considerations, Tulfo said sports officials should stand by Eala and make her feel that her sacrifice is appreciated.
"I believe this is the time for our government to step in," Tulfo said. "Kung pagmumultahin siya dahil pinili n'yang kumatawan sa ating bayan, hindi ba nararapat lamang na magpaabot ng tulong o suporta ang gobyerno sa kanya?"
"She should not have to carry that burden alone," Tulfo added.
The Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) has already made an appeal before the WTA on behalf of Eala, who is skipping the mandatory WTA 1000 tournament in China which coincides with the tennis competition in Nagoya.
Philta cited 'patriotic duty' in asking that Eala be spared from sanctions, which under WTA rules could go as high as a $10,000 fine and zero points for the tournament that is bound to hurt her hold on a place in the world rankings.
As the world No. 18, the 21-year old Eala is seeded into the main draw of all major tournaments, including the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Philta has yet to receive a response from the WTA, although doubts were raised after Eala's Indonesian rival and current world No. 45, Janice Tjen, confirmed through her social media accounts that her request for an exemption to play in the Nagoya Asiad was denied.
Tjen, who is currently playing in the Guadalajara Open, is just the latest top player to skip the Asian Games, joining China's Zheng Qinwen, Zhang Zhizhen, Jerry Shang Juncheng, Bu Yunchaokete and Wang Xinyu.
If Eala's appeal is denied, Tulfo hopes sports officials will be there to stand by the tennis medal hope.
"Ngayon, pagkakataon naman natin na ipakita sa kanya na ang Pilipinas ay nasa likod niya," Tulfo said. Kung ang US$10,000 ang magiging hadlang para maisuot niya ang Philippine colors sa Asian Games, then let us find a lawful way to remove that obstacle.
"Kaya hinihikayat ko po ang PSC, POC, at iba pang concerned government agencies na humanap agad ng legal at maayos na paraan upang matulungan ang ating kampeyon na si Alex.
"Mr. President, sometimes supporting our athletes does not require millions of pesos. Sometimes, it simply means telling them, 'We believe in you. We are behind you.
"Go represent the Philippines, Alex.'"
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