Flonique Guimary

Manny Pacquiao commends Alex Eala's Filipino spirit following her first WTA Tour title

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E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

From one champion to another.Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao took to social media to extend his congratulatory message to Alex Eala, following her historic win at the Mubadala DC Open.&quot;Down in the first round pero bumangon. Yan ang puso ng Pilipino! Congrats Alex Eala, our new champion! 🇵🇭🏆🎾&quot; Manny wrote.Fans online were quick to react to Manny&#x27;s post.&quot;Grabeee ang puso ng Pinoy! Congrats Alex,&quot; one fan wrote.&quot;Champ recognizes champ,&quot; another fan posted.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMannyPacquiao%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02xRyVriefNKuLnqcMaKFHctzfwHrdM9UMmEKhNLGHv3QnKxpJiJ8AhAbdS2vBt7EFl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="168" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Alex stunned world No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the United States to capture the 2026 Mubadala DC Open title.The victory marked her first WTA singles crown, capping an impressive campaign with a remarkable 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 comeback in the final.Her victory made her the first Filipino tennis player to capture a WTA Tour title.Following her historic triumph, the 21-year-old Filipina tennis star reflected on the love and encouragement she received throughout the competition.&quot;Before the final yesterday, I got so many messages, sweet messages from my family and my friends who are on tour, wherever else in the world. I thought to myself, I feel so much love,&quot; Alexa said in her post-match interview.&quot;So standing here in the middle of all this love, my first chance at a title, knowing that it won&#x27;t be my last, and already having achieved this feat and this milestone for my career, I knew that whatever would have happened after this match, it would have already been a win for me,&quot; she added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/7/21/alex-eala-pens-message-for-filipino-supporters-as-she-leaves-ph-for-next-tournament-1016" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alex Eala pens message for Filipino supporters as she leaves PH for next tournament</a></div>Alex also expressed her deep gratitude to her supporters.&quot;Thank you to all my supporters especially the Filipino community here in DC and back home, and wherever you are in the world... I feel all the love. Maraming, maraming salamat mga kababayan,&quot; she remarked.Alex has climbed the world&#x27;s top 20 in the latest women&#x27;s singles rankings following her first WTA Tour title.

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao extended his congratulatory message to Alex Eala.

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao extended his congratulatory message to Alex Eala.

Manny Pacquiao commends Alex Eala's Filipino spirit following her first WTA Tour title: 'Our new champion'

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Manny Pacquiao commends Alex Eala's Filipino spirit following her first WTA Tour title: 'Our new champion'

Toff C.,

Push Team

Published August 04, 2026 12:52 PM PHT

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