Caveat

What’s not to like about Alex Eala? She’s everything nice and spice. She has ranked higher and higher, top ten is within sight. Not this year. Maybe too late, the US Open is the final grand slam of the year where she could have racked up more points had she gone deeper but lost to Iva Jovic in the third round.

She crashed, but showed class. After losing a three-set edge-of-seat marathon, she hugged Jovic and wished her well in the next round. Never a sore loser, or hard loser in Filipino terms. Instead, she capitalized on the lessons, did not dwell on humiliation. Well, there was no reason to be ashamed of to begin with. Alex fought hard to stay in the match, even leading in the final set. Not yet her time to beat a younger foe who now has a 3-0 head to head advantage against her. Must be her kryptonite, but there is always a first time. Alex has beaten higher ranked players but could not solve the mystery of her frenemy.

A patriot, she skips the mandatory China Open to represent the country in the Asian Games this month. She risks losing points and prize money. But the Asiad happens only once in four years. Country over money, while thieves strip her country naked of public funds, everyday. Equally impressive is her refusal to sign the Philippine flag. She knows it is untouchable, sacred even, only to be blasphemed by people called honorable.

Despite the ugly reality in her country, Alex continues to represent it beautifully. Tall, pretty and well-spoken. And focused on her sport. Hopefully, she doesn’t fall in love, just yet, especially with a Filipino raised as a boy to be a boy for life. Otherwise, she will act like his mother the entire time. Boys will always be boys, they just change their toys. If at all, she should be with a man secure enough to let her be the person she is – Philippine ambassador, global superstar and a future tennis icon.

Also, she should defer public comment about her country’s politics. Not just yet, even if it involves public interest. For, the way she speaks and behaves on and off court reveals where she stands in the political equation. She should keep it to herself for now. Otherwise, the dumb, the blind and the stupid gang up on her, especially when she speaks the truth. That’s how the country she highly represents has gone too low.