Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Saturday hailed Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala as the country’s “newest and youngest national hero,” after she fought through a right-foot injury to beat Caty McNally at the Canadian Open.
“Make way for our newest and youngest national hero – Alex Eala!” Lacson posted on his X account, after Eala overcame her injury to extend her winning streak.
In Filipino: Lacson: Alex Eala, Pinakabagong, Pinakabatang Pambansang Bayani
Make way for our newest and youngest national hero – Alex Eala!
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) August 8, 2026
On Saturday (Manila time), Eala hurt her right foot during her match with McNally in the Round of 32 in Toronto, but showed the same never-say-die spirit that marked her historic run in recent weeks.
With her gritty victory, Eala advances to the Round of 16 of the Canadian Open.
Earlier this week, Lacson thanked Eala for bringing honor and pride to the Philippines after she captured the Mubadala DC Open women’s singles title with a victory over Jessica Pegula in the rain-delayed final. Eala became the first Filipino tennis player to win a WTA Tour singles title.
Lacson said he was among many Filipinos who stayed up late following updates on the match.
“Thank you Alex Eala for bringing honor and pride to our country, kahit pinuyat mo kaming mga Pinoy dito Pilipinas kagabi. Nakalimutan ko, may impeachment trial pala kami this morning,” he said in a post on X, the second part in jest.
Thank you Alex Eala for bringing honor and pride to our country, kahit pinuyat mo kaming mga Pinoy dito Pilipinas kagabi. Nakalimutan ko, may impeachment trial pala kami this morning.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) August 4, 2026
(Thank you Alex Eala for bringing honor and pride to our country, even if you kept us Filipinos awake late into the night. I almost forgot there is an impeachment trial this morning.)
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Lacson: Alex Eala, Pinakabagong, Pinakabatang Pambansang Bayani
Pinuri ni Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Sabado si Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala bilang pinakabagong at pinakabatang pambansang bayani ng bansa matapos niyang talunin si Caty McNally sa Canadian Open sa kabila ng pinsala sa kanang paa.
“Make way for our newest and youngest national hero – Alex Eala!” ani Lacson sa kanyang X account, matapos malampasan ni Eala ang injury para ituloy ang kanyang winning streak.
Noong Sabado (oras sa Maynila), nasaktan ang kanang paa ni Eala sa kanyang laban kay McNally sa Round of 32 sa Toronto, ngunit ipinakita niya muli ang never-say-die spirit na naging tatak ng kanyang makasaysayang kampanya nitong mga nakaraang linggo.
Dahil sa kanyang panalo, umabante si Eala sa Round of 16 ng Canadian Open.
Nitong Martes, pinasalamatan ni Lacson si Eala sa pagbibigay ng karangalan sa Pilipinas matapos niyang makuha ang women’s singles title sa Mubadala DC Open sa pamamagitan ng kanyang panalo laban kay Jessica Pegula sa final na naantala dahil sa ulan. Si Eala ang naging kauna-unahang Pilipinong tennis player na nanalo ng singles title sa WTA Tour.
Sinabi ni Lacson na kabilang siya sa maraming Pilipinong nagpuyat upang subaybayan ang mga update sa laban.
“Thank you Alex Eala for bringing honor and pride to our country, kahit pinuyat mo kaming mga Pinoy dito Pilipinas kagabi. Nakalimutan ko, may impeachment trial pala kami this morning,” aniya sa X, na may kasamang biro sa huling bahagi.
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