EDITORIAL - Thank you, Alex

In a world that is full of bad news, uncertain news, and even fake news, it’s good to share some good news for a change. And this bit of good news, which is also kind of a heartbreak, comes to us from the field of sports.

Philippine tennis ace Alex Eala made it to the finals of the Miami Open, where she bowed out to Jessica Pegula, ranked #4 in the world, yesterday. Not bad for the world’s ranked #104, right?

Hard-pressed for her victory, an impressed Pegula praised Eala by saying she was “really good.”

Aside from a guaranteed ranking of somewhere in the top 75, Eala also earns a substantial cash prize, not to mention the adoration of the entire country.

Even if she didn’t win she does us proud.

And even if she didn’t win she did something that few can do; for a while --and even if this wasn’t her intent-- she managed to unite Filipinos, many of whom are currently divided and at each others’ throats in terms of political beliefs and ideologies.

She had them cheering on in private viewing parties, in sports bars, and in tennis clubs where ordinary people and her fans gathered to root for her on to victory.

People set aside their differences, even if it was just for a while. For a while it was an entire nation waiting with bated breath if she would go even further, although this was not meant to be.

And while tennis may not be as popular in the Philippines as basketball or boxing, the pride people feel for her achievement is no less impactful. If not yet, people may soon be able to mention her name in same breath as Hidilyn Diaz, Carlos Yulo, Manny Pacquiao, and other Filipino sporting greats.

This isn’t the end for her, of course. At 19 years old, there is no doubt she will only get better and have even more chances at greatness ahead.

So for this accolade and also this brief moment of unity, thank you, Alex.