‘2 unique journeys, both beautiful’

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala is no Manny Pacquiao – at least for now – but no modern Filipino athlete has come close to the stature of the legendary boxing champion. Until her.

Parallels gained traction as early as last year in the middle of Eala’s rise. Comparisons grew louder as Eala became the first Filipina WTA Tour champion and the highest-ranked Filipino player in history.

The 21-year-old, however, said she is not chasing the epic of the Pambansang Kamao. She treats the comparison as fuel to write more history for Philippine sports.

“I guess my journey has similar things and can give similar things like that, so it’s very flattering to be compared to him. At the same time, they’re two unique journeys,” Eala said ahead of her debut today in the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open against Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania.

“I don’t think one takes away from the other. I’m still very, very far from the levels of Pacquiao but I think the journeys are both beautiful. They both have their own beautiful characteristics.”

Pacquiao, whose unprecedented run bridged the 90s, 2000s and 2010s, became the first-ever global sports star from the Philippines.

He packed stadiums and arenas around the world and brought the Philippines to a standstill.

It was a phenomenon of the TV, pay-per-view and watch-party era – one that may never be replicated in Philippine pop and sports culture.

Here comes Eala in a completely different era – the age of social media. TV has turned into smartphones and laptops, pay-per-views and watch parties have become streams, and crowds are now measured in millions of likes, views and engagements.

Eala has millions of those. She also fills every arena she plays in. Yet amid all these, she still looks up to the 47-year-old Pacquiao – not to be compared to him.

“Pacquiao is such a sporting legend for us Filipinos. He’s done a lot in paving the way for us Filipino athletes,” said Eala.