Alex Eala’s #myMILOStory: From small wins to big breakthroughs

Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by MILO Philippines and was produced by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the production of this piece.

After a few intense exchanges, an errant return by Alex Eala’s opponent ended their opening-round clash in the 2025 US Open. It was decided — the 20-year-old had just become the first Filipino tennis player to win a Grand Slam main draw match in the Open era.

Did Alex know she’d win that round? Perhaps not, but what’s certain is that in that moment, she carried with her a lifetime of training–a journey that began at age four. And just like many Filipinos, Alex’s grit and discipline as a young athlete were also honed on the grounds of MILO Sports Clinic, sharing the dreams of those who had the same roots. 

Even non-athletes can relate to Eala’s remarkable feat. For the MILO generation – those who grew up lining up for a free cup of MILO in grade school, to those who gushed over Taekwondo idol Japoy Lizardo – MILO was just more than a chocolate drink. In a way, it brought out the Champion in all of us. No doubt, we all might have #myMILOstory.  

Alex Eala now headlines MILO’s #myMILOstory campaign, where her breakthrough proves that grit, discipline, and teamwork have shaped her journey. 

Coming from a family of athletes, Alex was no stranger to sports. Her mother, Rizza Maniego-Eala, is a former member of the national swimming team and won a medal in the Southeast Asian Games. Her older brother, Miko, also played tennis and attended the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain together with Alex — the two introduced to the sport by their late grandfather Bobby. What was once only a family pastime grew into an unwavering passion.

From a four-year-old who showed promise on local courts to a rising star who has shone on the world stage, Alex was fueled by a dream and a cup of MILO. Here’s a visual look back at how Alex energized her path to becoming a national tennis icon.

As of writing, Alex is set to compete in the last Grand Slam of the year, the US Open, where she looks to surpass her second-round appearance in 2025.

Alex recently exited the Cincinnati Open, yielding to American world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova in the round of 32 in a loss that snapped her five-game winning streak against top-10 players.

After crossing milestone after milestone and pushing past her own limits, Alex Eala has already laid the groundwork for new generations of Tennis players in the country. From leaving home at an early age to train in Spain–trading comfort for discipline, to pouring her blood, sweat, and tears into every match, Alex’s victories are a collection of fragments of lessons, sacrifices, and values that trace back to her roots in the Philippines. 

In an interview with Rappler, Alex shared her hopes that her unprecedented wins will ignite the fighting spirits of budding tennis players across the country. “The only thing I can do to give back to my country is to help inspire change, positive change, and to inspire people to pick up a racket, to watch more tennis, watch more women’s tennis,” said Eala.

This is Alex’s #myMILOstory. What’s yours? Find out how you can share and follow MILO Philippines’ Facebook page for more updates. – Rappler.com

Graphic artist: Raphael Reyes
Special thanks to: Emil Mercado, Delfin Dioquino, Julian Cirineo

Sources:

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