Philippine tennis players Alex Eala and Niño Alcantara had to settle for a bronze medal after losing their semifinal match against Thailand’s Pawit Sornlaksup and Patcharin Cheapchandej at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Wednesday morning, December 17, at the National Tennis Development Centre in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Filipinos Strike First, Thais Answer Back
Eala and Alcantara drew first blood by claiming the opening set after navigating a tight exchange of service holds. Their experience and chemistry allowed them to edge ahead late in the set and take an early lead in the semifinal.
FINAL SCORE OF SET 1: 7-5
The Thai duo, however, refused to fold. Feeding off the energy of the home crowd, Sornlaksup and Cheapchandej responded in the second set by matching the Filipinos shot for shot.
After a deadlock late in the frame, the hosts seized control and took the set, forcing the match into a deciding super tiebreak.
FINAL SCORE OF SET 2: 7-5
Super Tiebreak Turns Into a Nerve-Wracking Set 3 Finish
The final set became a nerve-wracking test of composure.
The Thais jumped out to an early 3-1 advantage before Eala and Alcantara clawed their way back to level the score. Sornlaksup and Cheapchandej then leaned on sharp net play to open up a 7-4 lead, putting pressure squarely on the Filipinos.
Refusing to surrender, Eala and Alcantara mounted another rally to draw within one point at 8-7, igniting the crowd and keeping their medal hopes alive. But a costly double fault from Alcantara gave the Thais breathing room at match point, and moments later, an attack error sealed the Filipinos’ fate.
FINAL SCORE OF SET 3: 10-7
The loss meant Eala and Alcantara had to settle for the bronze medal, marking their second SEA Games podium finish together after also placing third in Vietnam in 2022, and adding to their bronze run at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Eala Reflects on the Narrow Loss
In the immediate aftermath, Eala admitted the disappointment was difficult to process but emphasized the effort she and her partner put into the match.
“You know, obviously, initial feelings is of disappointment. Just, you know, when you lose and you give your all, but no regrets. And I think both Kuya Nins and I, we did everything we could,” she said.
She also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of doubles play, adding:
“In the end, doubles is really, you know, could be a game of chance. And I think our opponents played really well. So, I’m happy with the effort we put in.”
Despite the sting of defeat, Eala remained appreciative of the experience and the medal, noting,
“We really could have won today. But in the end, so many takeaways and I had so much fun playing mixed doubles.”
Bronze Adds to Team Philippines’ Medal Haul
The mixed doubles bronze became another contribution to Team Philippines’ tennis campaign, which also saw third-place finishes in both the men’s and women’s team events.
For Eala and Alcantara, it marked another chapter in a partnership that has consistently delivered podium finishes on the regional and continental stage.
Their semifinal appearance was built on a strong quarterfinal showing earlier in the week, when they swept Singapore’s Daniel Abadia and Wei Choo, 6-4, 6-3, to book their place among the final four.
Eala Shifts Focus to Singles Gold Bid
While the mixed doubles run ended in heartbreak, Eala’s SEA Games campaign is far from over.
The 20-year-old Filipina remains firmly in contention for a historic breakthrough in women’s singles, where she is set to compete in the gold medal match on Thursday, December 18.
Top-seeded in the tournament, Eala will face Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the final, with a chance to deliver the Philippines its first SEA Games women’s singles gold since 1999.
After settling for multiple bronze medals in previous editions, Eala now stands on the brink of rewriting Philippine tennis history as she tries to turn disappointment in doubles into renewed motivation for the biggest match of her SEA Games career.
