Alex Eala 2026 Season Recap: First WTA title, Grand Slam runs, and historic milestones

GMA Network - Nov 8, 2026

Alexandra Eala wrapped up her historic 2026 campaign on Sunday, settling for a runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Tennis Open after falling to American Claire Liu, 6-3, 6-0, in the final.

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After leading the Samsung Lions to their first Korean baseball title in a dozen years Sunday while playing through a hamstring injury, captain Koo Ja-wook was voted the MVP of the Korean Series. Koo earned 72 out of 97 votes from the media following the Lions' 12-1 victory over the KT Wiz in the title-clinching Game 5 of the Korean Series at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu. In five games, Koo batted .500/.565/.850 with a home run, two doubles, one triple, six RBIs and five runs scored. Koo, 33, won the regular-season batting title with a .371 average but he missed the last dozen days of the campaign due to hamstring issues. He was still not back to full health when the Lions' postseason began in the penultimate round on Oct. 26 against the Kia Tigers, but Koo, normally an outfielder, ended up playing every game of that five-game set as designated hitter. Koo only batted 3-for-20 with zero extra-base hit in that series. However, with his health improving, Koo found his groove in the Korean Series. Koo homered in the series opener last Tuesday as part of a two-hit g

UAAP: UST ends three-game losing streak with narrow win over FEU
Nov 8, 2026

UAAP: UST ends three-game losing streak with narrow win over FEU

The University of Santo Tomas snapped its three-game losing streak with an 86-85 victory over Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 89 men"s basketball tournament.

UST snaps 3-game skid, pumps life to semis bid with win over FEU
Nov 8, 2026

UST snaps 3-game skid, pumps life to semis bid with win over FEU

MANILA, Philippines -- The University of Santo Tomas snapped its 3-game skid and pumped life to its UAAP Season 89 men's basketball Final Four bid after nipping Far Eastern University, 86-85, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday. Amiel Acido fired 23 points including back-to-back treys that gave the Growling Tigers an 86-82 lead in the last 1:12. UST hung on for the remainder of the contest, only giving up a Jorick Bautista trey at the last second that delivered the final count. Acido added three rebounds for the Tigers who growled to 5-6 for a share of fifth place with the Ateneo Blue Eagles. The Tamaraws dropped to 6-5 for a share of third place with the De La Salle Green Archers.

'This is only the beginning': Alex Eala closes 2026 run with promise of more
Nov 8, 2026

'This is only the beginning': Alex Eala closes 2026 run with promise of more

Despite falling short of a season-ending title at the Hong Kong Tennis Open, Alex Eala knows it is only the start of what promises to be an even bigger journey as she looks back on a historic 2026 campaign that saw her break new ground and reach unprecedented heights.

Alex Eala eyes 2nd WTA title vs Claire Liu in Hong Kong Open final
Nov 8, 2026

Alex Eala eyes 2nd WTA title vs Claire Liu in Hong Kong Open final

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala looks to put the icing on the cake on her breakthrough season on Sunday in the Hong Kong Open final. Eala, who rose from top 50 to a career-high World No. 17 and captured her maiden tour title in Washington this year, battles American Claire Liu for the WTA 250 crown in

Alex Eala bows to Liu in Hong Kong Open finals
Nov 8, 2026

Alex Eala bows to Liu in Hong Kong Open finals

MANILA, Philippines — Gunning to end her final tournament of the year with a bang, Filipina tennis ace Alexandra “Alex” Eala fell short in her bid to capture her second World Tennis Association (WTA) title after bowing to World No. 95 Claire Liu of the United States, 3-6, 0-6, in the finals of the 2026 Hong Kong Open at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium on Sunday. World No. 17 Alex Eala faded in the final after navigating a brutal path that included grueling marathon-like matches over Tereza Valentova, Antonia Ruzic, and Maria Sakkari before stepping into the finals. In contrast to the Filipina, the American has not dropped a set all week, giving her the advantage when it comes to endurance. Liu took the first blow after a 6-3 win in the opener, as Eala was seen aiding her right leg. The second frame was a punisher for both netters as it took 11 deuces before Liu earned a point. Eala held the first seven break points before Liu handed her a heartbreak and scored a game, 1-0. The Filipina was visibly exhausted and frustrated, which led Liu to extend her rally to win seven games in a row, 5-0. Liu earned her first-ever WTA title after scoring back-to-back aces, followed by Eala's attack error, 6-0 Eala started the year 2026 ranked World No. 50, then scored a career-high ranking of World No. 17 in November

Alex Eala falls to world No. 102 Claire Liu to end season as Hong Kong Tennis Open runner-up
Nov 8, 2026

Alex Eala falls to world No. 102 Claire Liu to end season as Hong Kong Tennis Open runner-up

Alexandra Eala was denied her second WTA title after falling to world No. 102 Claire Liu in the Hong Kong Open final, 6-3, 6-0 on Sunday to settle for a runner-up finish in her season-ending tournament.

NU gets back at La Salle, boosts Final Four bid
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NU gets back at La Salle, boosts Final Four bid

MANILA, Philippines -- National University got back at De La Salle University, 84-80, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday to boost its UAAP Season 89 men's basketball Final Four bid.  Reinhard Jumamoy poured 21 points, six assists, five rebounds, and four steals to lead the Bulldogs, who avenged their first-round defeat to the Green Archers to rise to 8-3 for second place behind the UP Fighting Maroons.  Paul Franciso drained a trey to give Bulldogs an 82-80 lead with 44 seconds left and PJ Palacielo eventually sealed it for NU with two free throws in the last four seconds.  Doy Dungo fired 19 points and four assists to pace the defending champ La Salle, which fell to 6-5 for fourth place.

UAAP: Jumamoy sparks NU's fourth-quarter surge past La Salle to boost Final Four bid
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UAAP: Jumamoy sparks NU's fourth-quarter surge past La Salle to boost Final Four bid

Reinhard Jumamoy led National University"s fourth-quarter barrage as the Bulldogs squeaked past De La Salle University, 84-80, to boost their Final Four bid in the UAAP Season 89 men"s basketball tournament.

LOOK: NU def. La Salle, 84-80
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UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament NU def. La Salle, 84-80 Reinhard Jumamoy Player of the game #UAAPSeason89

World No. 1 Elena Rybakina withdraws from WTA Finals
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A viral illness will keep world No. 1 Elena Rybakina out of the WTA Finals, which are set to start Sunday in Indian Wells, Calif.

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