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Posts tagged as “Asian Games”

Wang Xiyu defeat Alex Eala to Advance to the Women’s Single Tennis Finals of the 2026 Asian Games (3-6, 6-3, 6-2)

October 1, 2026
Wang Xiyu defeat Alex Eala to Advance to the Women’s Single Tennis Finals of the 2026 Asian Games (3-6, 6-3, 6-2)

In a thrilling semifinal clash at the 2026 Asian Games, China’s Wang Xiyu staged a remarkable come from behind win to defeat top seed Alex Eala of the Philippines, earning a spot in the women’s singles gold medal match. 

Eala came out strong in the opening set, controlling the tempo from the baseline to capitalize on early opportunities and take the first set 6-3. However, the fourth-seeded Wang quickly change her strategy, leaning into her powerful left-handed serve and aggressive forehand to dictating play. Elevating her precision, Wang broke Eala early in the second set to claim it 6-3 to force a decider 3rd set.

Carrying momentum into the final set, Wang dominated the long exchanges and capitalized on crucial break points to seal a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. With this hard-fought win, Wang advances to the finals to compete for the gold medal, while Eala finishes her campaign with a bronze medal.

Alex Eala Shuts Out Garland to Secure Historic Asian Games Medal

September 30, 2026
Alex Eala Shuts Out Garland to Secure Historic Asian Games Medal

Alex Eala kept her golden campaign alive while securing at least a bronze medal, beating Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland 7-5, 6-0 in the women’s singles quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Games on Wednesday.

The first set was a grind. Garland, the eighth seed and world No. 143, put Eala under pressure early, trading breaks with the Filipino as neither player established sustained control. The set stretched past an hour before Eala broke Garland and then held serve to close it out.

The second set was a different story. Eala raced to a 2-0 lead, broke again, then broke to love for 3-0. Garland never won a game. Eala answered every threat with service winners and an ace, and closed on her second match point after Garland sent a shot wide.

The world No. 18 and top seed had opened her campaign with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej. She also withdrew from the China Open in Beijing, a mandatory WTA 1000 event, to play in Nagoya, a decision she said she did not take lightly. Wednesday’s result suggests it was worth it.

Eala now moves into the semifinals with a bronze medal already in hand and will face Wang Xiyu from China in SemiFinals.

Alex Eala Sweeps Patcharin Cheapchandej 6-1, 6-0 at the Asian Games

September 28, 2026
Alex Eala Sweeps Patcharin Cheapchandej 6-1, 6-0 at the Asian Games

Top seed Alex Eala began her Asian Games gold bid with a dominant win. She beat Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej 6-1, 6-0 at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center’s Indoor Court C on Monday.

The highly anticipated matchup faced early complications as heavy rainfall disrupted outdoor scheduling, forcing a delay of nearly five hours before tournament officials moved the contest inside to Indoor Court C. The wait didn’t bother the world No. 18. Eala broke early in the second set, went up 5-0, and finished with an ace.

The result was expected. Eala, seeded first, had a first-round bye, and she had already beaten Cheapchandej 6-3, 6-4 at a 2022 ITF event. It also helps her recover from a Round of 16 exit at the Singapore Tennis Open. 

Her next match will be against Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland in the quarterfinals.

Alex Eala Chooses Asian Games Over China Open Despite Facing WTA Penalties

September 13, 2026
Alex Eala Chooses Asian Games Over China Open Despite Facing WTA Penalties

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala will lead the Philippine tennis delegation at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, set to run from September 19 to October 4, 2026. Fresh off a career-high ranking inside the world’s top 20, the 21-year-old will represent the nation in both Women’s Singles and Mixed Doubles alongside veteran Francis Casey Alcantara.

Eala’s participation comes with high stakes. The Asian Games tennis schedule (September 27 to October 3) directly overlaps with the mandatory WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing. Under WTA Tour rules, qualified top-tier players are contractually required to compete in mandatory WTA 1000 tournaments. Because Eala chose to prioritize representing her country in Japan over the event in China, she faces strict tour enforcement.

The penalties for unexcused absences from mandatory WTA 1000 events are two-fold: a financial late-withdrawal fine of around $10,000 USD and a mandatory “zero-point” score applied to her 52-week ranking breakdown. This zero-point penalty locks up a valuable tournament slot on her ranking tally that would otherwise be occupied by points earned from another WTA event, dealing a minor blow to her ranking progress.

The Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) formally petitioned the WTA for an official exemption on national representation grounds. However, her chances of being granted a waiver are virtually zero. The WTA recently denied an identical exemption request submitted by Indonesian star Janice Tjen, forcing Tjen to withdraw from the Asian Games to avoid penalties. Because the WTA Rulebook strictly limits non-penalty exemptions to medical injuries and specific personal hardship, the tour maintains a firm policy against waiving penalties for non-ITF multi-sport events.

Knowing the consequences, Eala remains steadfast in her decision, accepting the financial fine and ranking hit to chase Asian Games glory for the Philippines.

Gilas Pilipinas Stuns China to Advance to 19th Asian Games Finals (77 – 76)

October 5, 2023
Gilas Pilipinas Stuns China to Advance to 19th Asian Games Finals (77 – 76)
Image: @19thAGofficial

Gilas Pilipinas stunned host China with a thrilling 77-76 come-from-behind victory in the semifinals of the 19th Asian Games men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China.

Gilas Pilipinas trailed by as many as 20 points in the third quarter, but they rallied back in spectacular fashion to steal the game. Justin Brownlee scored 17 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter to lead Gilas Pilipinas to victory.

China got off to a hot start, leading by as many as 12 points in the first quarter. Gilas Pilipinas kept pace in the second quarter, but China was able to build an 18 point lead at halftime.

China extended their lead to 20 points, 52-32, in the third quarter with 08:24 remaining, but Gilas Pilipinas refused to give up. They cut the lead to just 12 points entering the 4th. China responded by exchanging basket with Gilas but Justin Brownlee was just starting to heat up.

Gilas Pilipinas tighten their defense and limited China to just 14 pts in the qtr, while Gilas made 27 points, with Brownlee scoring 17 pts of those 27. China had a chance to win the game in the final seconds, but ZHANG Zhenlin missed his jumper before the time expires.

Brownlee was the hero for Gilas Pilipinas in this game, scoring 33 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists. He was also perfect from beyond the arc, making all 5 of this three-pointers.

Scottie Thompson also had a big game for Gilas Pilipinas. He finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Junmar Fajardo and Jaymar Perez both added 8 points with 4 and 5 rebounds, respectively.

Rui Zhao led the scoring for China with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.

With the win, Gilas Pilipinas advances to the final of the Asian Games for the first time since 1990. They will face Jordan in the final on Friday, October 6, 2023.

The Scores

  • Philippines 77 – J. Brownlee 33, S. Thompson 13, J. Fajardo 8, J. Perez 8, L. Alas 5, C. Newsome 4, C. Oftana 4, A. Kouame 2, C. Ross 0, M. Lassiter 0, J. Aguilar 0.
  • China 76 – Zhao R. 18, Hu M. 10, Zhu 10, Wang 10, Zhao J. 9, Hu J. 8, Du 6, Zhang 4, Cui 1, Cheng 0.

Quarters: 17-19, 30-48, 50-62, 77-76.

The 13-man Roster of Gilas Pilipinas for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China

September 11, 2023
The 13-man Roster of Gilas Pilipinas for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China

These are the 13-man Roster of Gilas Pilipinas who will compete for the Men’s Basketball of the 19th Asian Games;

  1. Calvin Abueva
  2. Terrence Romeo
  3. June Mar Fajardo
  4. Scottie Thompson
  5. Roger Pogoy
  6. Japeth Aguilar
  7. Justin Brownlee
  8. Ange Kouame
  9. Stanley Pringle
  10. Chris Newsome
  11. Calvin Oftana
  12. Jason Perkins
  13. Mo Tautuaa

Gilas is included in Group C with Jordan, Bahrain and Thailand.

Gilas Pilipinas new Head Coach will be Tim Cone, with Richard del Rosario, Jong Uichico, LA Tenorio, and Josh Reyes as his assistant coaches.

The 5×5 basketball of the 19th Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium, Zhejiang University Zijingang Gymnasium and Shaoxing Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium from September 26 to October 6, and the final in Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium, where the athletes will compete for 2 gold medals.

Philippines routs Kazakhstan, in the Men’s Basketball of 2018 Asian Games (96-59)

August 16, 2018
Philippines routs Kazakhstan, in the Men’s Basketball of 2018 Asian Games (96-59)

Even without Jordan Clarkson, Philippines Men’s Basketball Team defeated Kazakhstan, in their first outing in the 2018 Asian Games, Thursday, August 16 at the GBK Basketball Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia.

It was Stanley Pringle who did most of the damage, with his 18 points , 4 rebounds and 2 assists, of course with the help veteran James Yap with his 12 points, 5 boards, a steal and a block; and SMB rookie Christian Standhardinger, 15 points, 4 boards and a steal.

Rappler Sports;

The Scores

Philippines 96 – Pringle 18, Standhardinger 15, Yap 12, Lee 10, Tiu 9, Norwood 7, Almazan 6, Erram 5, Belga 5, Taulava 5, Ahanmisi 4.

Kazakhstan 59 – Bykov 13, Gavrilov 9, Yergali 8, Zhigulin 7, Kuanov 6, Bazhin 6, Chsherbak 6, Maidekin 2, Marchuk 2, Yagodkin 0, Murzagaliyev 0, Satkeyev 0.

Quarters: 16-9, 41-20, 61-43, 96-59.

Philippines’ next assignment will be against China on Tuesday, August 21 at 4 pm (5 pm in Manila), where the 26-year-old Clarkson is expected to join the team.

Image: 2018 Asian Games

Philippines will not send a basketball team to the 18th Asian Games

July 27, 2018

Here’s the official statement from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP);

SBP did not state any reason other than “to allow our National team and our organization to regroup, prepare for the process of appealing the FIBA Disciplinary Panel..”

In this ESPN 5 article, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said that the Rain or Shine (RoS) management remains willing to send its team to the Asian Games.

If PBA players are not available, why not just send selection of college players which is what the Philippines have been doing before they started sending pros in 1990.