Eala, Bagunas SEAG flag bearers

MANILA, Philippines — Tennis wonder Alex Eala and volleyball star Bryan Bagunas will be the Philippines’ flag bearers when the Nationals wade into battle in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games set Dec. 9 to 20 in Thailand.

“Popularity aside, Alex and Bryan have made impacts in the global sports community and that makes them the best choice to carry the flag in the SEA Games,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino yesterday.

“It’s about the inspirational appeal, the motivation and hard work that reaps accomplishment that make an athlete or athletes the best choice for the chore,” he added.

Eala, of course, was an easy choice after her meteoric rise to prominence as she is now ranked 50th in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings – the highest place reached by a Filipina.

For Bagunas, he was the face of the Alas Pilipinas team with a historic 19th-place finish in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship the country hosted a few months ago.