Manny Pacquiao, proud na proud sa tennis player na si Alex Eala

• Manny Pacquiao expresses pride as Alex Eala represents the Philippines on the WTA Tour
• Pacquiao encourages the 20-year-old tennis star to stay focused despite criticism
• Eala recently reached the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships, climbing to a career-high No. 31
• The rising star dismisses comparisons to Pacquiao, saying she is still charting her own path

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is cheering on Alex Eala as she continues to make waves on the WTA Tour.

"Noong pinapanood ko siya maglaro, I’m so proud of her na talagang dala-dala ’yung flag ng Pilipinas," Pacquiao said.

"Kapag tinitignan ko siya parang, proud na proud ako sa kaniya kasi siyempre Pilipino."

Pacquiao emphasized that the country needs more athletes like Eala and offered words of encouragement to the young star.

"Keep it up, work hard."

He also referenced Winston Churchill’s famous advice, reminding her:

"You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks,"

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He encouraged her to focus on her goals rather than critics.

Eala, 20, recently advanced to the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships, a performance that propelled her to a career-best No. 31 in the WTA rankings. Her rise has drawn attention not only in the tennis world but also from fans across the Philippines.

Despite comparisons to Pacquiao after a high-profile match at the Australian Open in January, Eala maintains her focus on personal growth.

"Iba naman si Manny Pacquiao, I think. Nasa ibang level na siya," she said. "Sa tingin ko, medyo malayo pa ako."

Looking ahead, Eala is set to compete in the main draws of the Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments. With Pacquiao’s support and her own dedication, she continues to aim for milestones that could inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes.

Pacquiao’s encouragement underscores the pride that Filipinos feel for athletes who carry the country’s flag on the global stage, showing that hard work and focus remain the keys to success.

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Manny Pacquiao, widely recognized as the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, remains one of the sport’s most celebrated figures. Outside the ring, he is married to Jinkee Pacquiao, and together they have five children: Jimuel, Michael, Princess, Queenie, and Israel. He also has a son, Emman Bacosa, from a previous relationship. Beyond boxing, Pacquiao served as both congressman and senator and later pursued the Philippine presidency. After four years of retirement, he is making a comeback for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In separate news, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are set for a historic professional rematch on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The fight will be streamed globally on Netflix, marking a major milestone in both boxing and sports broadcasting. Their first match in 2015 set records with 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, ending with Mayweather’s victory by decision. Both legends, now in their late 40s, are returning to the ring after retirements, political pursuits, and recent comeback bouts.

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Meanwhile, Gary Valenciano is launching his first podcast, Unshaken: Stories of Grit and Grace, with support from Mammoth Media. The singer expressed interest in interviewing Manny Pacquiao but noted he would avoid discussing politics, according to ABS-CBN. Valenciano explained he is cautious with political guests and wants balanced representation if political topics are addressed. The podcast is set to premiere in mid-April and will be available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, highlighting inspiring stories of perseverance and personal growth.

Source: KAMI.com.gh