Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

Philippine women’s tennis team eyes Group 1 promotion in Billie Jean King Cup

France's Leolia Jeanjean taps her shoe with her racket during her women's singles match against Romanias Elena Ruxandra Bertea at the Billie Jean King Cup play-offs between France and Romania, at Oeiras on the outskirts of Lisbon, on April 9, 2026. (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP)

Article (news)

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Philippine women’s tennis team is eyeing a promotion to Asia/Oceania Group 1 of the Billie Jean King Cup.The Pinay players will compete in the BJK Cup Asia/Oceania Group 2 at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.The team is composed of University of Western Alabama standouts Shaira Hope Rivera and Alexa Joy Milliam, along with Philippine Tennis Academy members Tennielle Madis and Stefi Aludo.The nations will be divided into two round-robin pools of five. The top two teams in each pool advance to the promotional playoffs, where the two winners earn promotion to Group 1. The bottom team in each pool is ending up in Group 3.Coach Denise Dy said the field is stiff, with host Malaysia always a formidable side, and teams like Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong — both freshly relegated from Group 1 — now joining the bracket alongside Sri Lanka and Laos.“I think the field is definitely going to be very competitive,” Dy said.The Philippines carries momentum from last year, when the team — with three of four players making their BJK Cup debut — finished third in Group 2.“Last year we were basically one set away to get promoted to Group 1. We were very close,” Dy said. “And now I hope with a lot more experience, a lot more depth from the SEA Games last year, I think they will do a lot better.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/6/17/tennis-ph-upsets-uzbekistan-for-first-win-in-billie-jean-king-cup-2025-1848">READ: Tennis: PH upsets Uzbekistan for first win in Billie Jean King Cup 2025 </a></div>Rivera, fresh off a historic season at UWA where she became the nation’s No. 1 doubles player, said the experience only sharpened her hunger.“We beat all the good players there. Like we’re just enjoying — and also in my singles, I didn’t expect na manalo ako at maging top 10 sa nation,” Rivera said.Milliam, who paired with Rivera for a doubles title run at UWA, echoed the team’s mindset going in.“Sobrang locked in po namin ngayon. Nag-prepare po talaga kami. After our season, nag-rest lang two days and then back on the grind,” Milliam said.Rivera added that the team’s chemistry on the sidelines is just as important as what happens on the court.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/6/10/team-philippines-eyes-promotion-in-billie-jean-king-cup-1631">READ: Team Philippines eyes promotion in Billie Jean King Cup </a></div>“We were cheering each other, which gave us motivation inside the court while playing. I can see them, they’re like, ‘let’s go, let’s go.’ And I’m like, I’m gonna fight. That kind of thing. It’s a good feeling po,” she said.Madis, meanwhile, said she’s taking a different approach to pressure this time around.“’Yung last year ko po kasi nilalayuan ko yung pressure. Sabi po ni Coach Bobie, ‘pressure is a privilege’ — so ngayon, [haharapin] ko na,” Madis said.Aludo kept it simple: “Ang mindset po namin this Billie Jean King Cup ay lumaban at habulin mga bola… play more confident.”Coach Bobie Angelo did not mince words about his confidence in the squad.“Pinay itong mga ito eh. Lalaban mga ito. I have a feeling that we’ll make it. Very positive si coach,” Angelo said.On representing the Philippines, Dy said, “It&#x27;s always an honor for me to coach. And represent also my parents&#x27; country, and my country too. I&#x27;ve been representing (Philippines) since I was 16 when I first started playing.”The pool draw is set for Sunday.

The Philippine women’s tennis team is eyeing a promotion to Asia/Oceania Group 1 of the Billie Jean King Cup.

The Philippine women’s tennis team is eyeing a promotion to Asia/Oceania Group 1 of the Billie Jean King Cup.

‘Ready to fight’: Philippine women’s tennis team eyes Group 1 promotion in Billie Jean King Cup

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‘Ready to fight’: Philippine women’s tennis team eyes Group 1 promotion in Billie Jean King Cup

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 12, 2026 10:08 PM PHT

Read More:

tennis

Billie Jean King Cup

BJK Cup Asia/Oceania

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