Alex Eala admits her serve needs improvement

Inquirer.net - Oct 10, 2026

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala acknowledged that her serve remains an area for improvement as she compared her development with the challenges Rafael Nadal experienced during his career. The world No. 18 discussed her game during Maria Sharapova’s “Pretty Tough” podcast, recalling lessons she learned while training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain. READ: Alex

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Lady Bulldogs rout Lady Chiefs for 3rd straight win in SSL Unity Cup

MANILA, Philippines — Five-peat-seeking National University swept Arellano University, 25-12, 25-16, 25-14, for a third straight win in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The Lady Bulldogs survived a tough challenge early in the second set before cruising the rest of the way to remain unbeaten in Pool A of the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R&B Milk Tea. Chams Maaya finished with 10 points on six spikes, two aces and two kill blocks to lead NU, which has yet to drop a set. “Nagpo-focus kami sa sarili namin kung paano pa namin mai-improve ang skills namin kasi every game, every set, every point ay kailangang mag-improve kami,” Maaya said. Celine Marsh added eight points, Arah Panique had seven markers while Denesse Daylisan scored six for the Lady Bulldogs, who completed a sweep of their back-to-back assignments and inched closer to securing a playoffs seat. NU found itself struggling at the start of the second frame and trailed the Lady Chiefs, 7-11, after a Samantha Maranan offspeed attack. The Lady Bulldogs answered with nine straight points capped by a Daylisan kill for a 16-11 lead to take control of the frame. Smelling blood, NU dictated the tempo of the third set and built an insurmountable 20-9 advantage on its way to closing an 85-minute victory. Arellano absorbed a second straight defeat for a 1-2 record in the tournament, supported by Smart, PusoP.com DICT, Executive Optical, Milo and Summit Natural Drinking Water. Maranan scored six points while Aleah Alipan and Keisha Abitria finished with five each for the Lady Chiefs. Action resumes on Sunday with University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and San Beda University clashing in the curtain-raiser at 1 p.m. Adamson University and University of the East battle at 3 p.m. while Ateneo De Manila University and Emilio Aguinaldo College square off at 5 p.m. in the competition which has Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, Mikasa, Asics, Rigour Technology, Jersey Haven, Solar Sports and 12 Beyond Production as technical partners. All games are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports. TMT