Philippine Tennis Association - Philta

10/10/2026

PHILTA Junior Training Pool
Day 2 Action, DONE!

Young athletes selected to the PHILTA Junior Training Pool have successfully concluded their opening week of training at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The 12U, 14U and 16U players trained under the guidance of national coaches Chris Cuarto and Ge**er Mamawal, along with fitness coach Khristian Callao.

Congratulations to all the participants and their parents! See you all again soon!

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10/10/2026

10/10/2026

WTA 250 may bring back Rizal Memorial Coliseum to its tennis roots

An overhaul of the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum is being discussed by sports officials as part of preparations for Manila's hosting of the country's first tour-level WTA 250 event slated for November 2027.

Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Executive Director Tonette Mendoza revealed that an initial meeting has already taken place, with the Rizal Memorial Coliseum brought up as a possible center court for the WTA 250.

"We just had our first meeting on scheduling for the things that we have to do for the WTA 125 and the WTA 250," Mendoza said. "We're hoping to make our center court the Rizal Coliseum."

Officials previously announced that Manila will host the second edition of the Philippine Women's Open WTA 125 in January 2027, followed by the inaugural Philippine Women's Open WTA 250 in November.

"We still have some minor improvements that we're going to do for the 125," Mendoza said. "And then we're going to begin the improvements for the 250 after the 125."

Asked about a possible conflict between the WTA 250 being an outdoor event and the coliseum in its current covered state, Mendoza said the building could return to its original tennis roots.

"The WTA 250 is an outdoor event. So if it pushes through, we're hoping that the center court will be Rizal Coliseum as it was when it was originally built about 90 years ago," Mendoza said.

Constructed in 1934, the Rizal Memorial Coliseum was originally an open-air tennis venue known as the Rizal Memorial Tennis Stadium. An overhaul could open up more seats for tennis fans as the coliseum has a capacity of over 6,000.

"Actually, the capacity, kaasya dito sa center court (of the Tennis Center). Because they only require, I think, 3,000 seats or something for a 250," Mendoza said. "But Filipinos are very excited, so of course we want a bigger venue."

Last February, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio was quoted as saying that the coliseum will eventually revert back to its original sport.

“The end goal, I’m telling you just now, is to host the WTA there,” he told the Philippine Star.

Local officials are expected to hold more meetings in the coming months to prepare for the two WTA events slated for next year.

Follow PHILTA's social media accounts for updates on the Philippine WTA events and local tennis news.

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10/10/2026

"The Philippine tennis renaissance is real"
Sports journalist Bill Velasco's latest column for the Philippine Star features the booming local interest in tennis, crediting Alex Eala's phenomenal rise, and PHILTA's efforts to harness that enthusiasm. Link to the article below.

"PHILTA’s next serve
THE GAME OF MY LIFE - Bill Velasco - The Philippine Star

October 10, 2026 | 12:00am

The Philippine tennis renaissance is real. The Philippines will add a WTA 250 event to the 2027 Asian calendar, right after seven consecutive events within the region. Beginning September 30, the WTA will swing through the continent via the China Open, Wuhan Open and Ningbo Open in China, then proceed to the Japan Open and Toray Pan Pacific Open, before returning to China with the Guangzhou Open and Hong Kong Open before coming to Manila. According to Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) secretary-general and Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco, there is only one reason for this expansion."

The Philippine tennis renaissance is real. 

09/10/2026

Rivera, Alcantara recount Asian Games experience on Castillejo's "Cross Court"

PHILTA Board Member and sports journalist Dyan Castillejo sat down with national players Shaira Hope Rivera and Francis Casey Alcantara to talk about their experience at the recently concluded Asian Games.

On Castillejo's podcast "Cross Court", the two standout Filipino talents recounted the highs of winning for their country, as well as the difficutlies they faced in Japan, including numerous rain delays, playing indoors side-by-side with other live matches, and the lack of practice opportunities.

Rivera and Alcantara also spoke about their experience playing with Filipina tennis star Alex Eala, and learning from her coach Sandro Viaene.

The Rivera, Alcantara interview premiered on October 8 as the fifth episode of Castillejo's "Cross Court."

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09/10/2026

PHILTA Junior Training Pool: first official training day

The first training session of the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Junior Training Pool kicks off today at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

National coaches Chris Cuarto, Roland Kraut and Ge**er Mamawal are mentoring our standout young athletes.

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08/10/2026

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala was not penalized by the WTA for skipping a mandatory tournament to represent the Philippines in the Asian Games 2026, according to Philippine Tennis Association

08/10/2026

PHILTA unveils Junior Training Pool; training begins October 9

The Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) today announced the athletes selected for the Junior Training Pool that will form the foundation of the national teams that will participate in international junior competitions in 2027.

PHILTA Executive Director Tonette Mendoza congratulated all the young athletes selected to the Training Pool and announced that training will begin tomorrow, Friday, October 9.

"This is just the beginning and we hope we can help you achieve your dreams," Mendoza said. "This is just to give everybody an opportunity to have regular training. So that when we go abroad and you get sent to represent the Philippines, you're prepared."

The youth athletes in each age group are:

16&Under Boys
Gecosala, Krelz Jan
Go, Marcus
Castigador, Anthony Bjorn
Calingasan, Cristiano Matteo
Aldemita, Alexi Luca Rafael
Go, Mattias Lorenzo

16&Under Girls
Bugna, Kathlyn Ann
Cablitas, Maria Astrid
Gonzaga, Ayl Xyza
Wong, Francine Madeleine
Cruspero, Mitchellen Alexa
Torrecampo, Maristella

14&Under Boys
Caro, Tyronne Grey
Villeno, Jan Caleb Belen
Belacas, Kresthan
Estrella, James Andrio
Torrente, Yuan Andrei
Peralta, Jairus

14&Under Girls
Gabaldon, Shaner
Paglalunan, Ella Mhae
Barrido, Leanne Amanda
Wong, Francine Madeleine
Liwag, Athena Zhia
Fiel, Ma. Caroliean

12&Under Boys
Harrow, Liam James Oscar
Niere, Everett Enzo
Navidad, Shaun Duncan
Cablitas, Rafael Benigno
Diamante, Dale
De Guzman, Raven Matthew

12&Under Girls
Olavides, CS Donarose
Comia, Eilythia
Principe, Misty May
Macapendeg, Arissa Shamirah
Plaza, Mira Andrea Yvonne
Loyola, Brielle Zina

Congratulations to all the athletes, and we wish you all the best in your tennis journey!

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07/10/2026

When Alex met Maria: Eala guests on idol Sharapova's podcast

Years after first meeting her childhood idol, tennis sensation Alex Eala met up a second time with tennis great Maria Sharapova recently in New York.

Eala, wearing the all-white ensemble she wore at the New York fashion week for the Calvin Klein show, appeared in a teaser for Sharapova's podcast Pretty Tough posted on the former Grand Slam champion's official Instagram story.

Eala, who has long spoken of Sharapova as an inspiration in her tennis journey, could be heard on the podcast teaser saying, "My goal is to be her" while pointing to a picture on her phone. Fans previously dug out a picture of a preschooler Eala posing with Sharapova.

For her part, the five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova had shown her admiration for the young Filipina phenom, commenting "A star!" on a Wimbledon post following Eala's historic win against then-world No. 3 Iga Swiatek.

Eala's guest spot on the Pretty Tough podcast will air on its October 7 episode and will be available on YouTube and Sharapova's other media channels.

(Photo screenshot from Maria Sharapova's IG)
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06/10/2026

PHILTA upbeat on Eala's path to Los Angeles Olympics nomination

Philippine Tennis Association Secretary General John Rey Tiangco remains optimistic about tennis sensation Alex Eala's chances of representing the Philippines at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Speaking with Bill Velasco on Hardball at DWAN 1206 AM, Tiangco outlined Eala's potential route to qualification in response to a question on how the country could secure a spot in the LA Olympics.

"Yung Olympics, there's a requirement. Kailangan top rank ka, either sa ATP or sa WTA," Tiangco explained. "Most likely naman, mare-retain niya (Eala) o ma-improve yung kanyang ranking. So hopefully, she can play in the Olympics."

According to the Olympic Qualification System, the singles event features a 64-player draw, with 56 spots awarded through direct acceptance based on world rankings. Eala has a career-high ranking of world No. 18, well within the direct qualification limit. Barring any major setbacks by the cutoff date of June 12, 2028, she has a clear path to a nomination.

"May requirement rin dyan that you have to play yung Billie Jean King Cup or Davis Cup for men twice before the Olympics," Tiangco added. "Alex has played once so kailangan lang niya maglaro ng isa pang BJK."

Eala dominated all four ties she played during her Philippine team debut at the 2024 BJK Cup Asia/Oceania Group III in Bahrain, leading the squad to promotion into Group II.

Tiangco also noted that Eala proudly represents the country and thrives in competing within team environments with fellow national players.

"Siyempre, gustong gusto niya to play for the country. Nakita natin dito (sa Asian Games), talagang masayang-masaya siya pagkasama yung kanyang mga teammates," Tiangco concluded.

(Interview of PHILTA Secretary General John Rey Tiangco on Alex Eala's Olympic nomination chances starts at 14:03)
(Video courtesy of Bill Velasco on Hardball/DWAN 1206 AM)
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