Sports News PH’s Top 5 Filipina Athletes of 2025

The year 2025 marked a defining chapter for Filipina athletes, as young stars and established names alike delivered breakthrough performances on regional and global stages. From record-setting runs and historic football triumphs to podium finishes against the world’s best, these women didn’t just win medals — they reshaped expectations for Philippine sport. Here’s a ranked look at the Top Filipina Athletes of 2025 and why their impact went beyond the results.

1. Alex Eala — Tennis Trailblazer

Alexandra “Alex” Eala continued her historic run in 2025, cementing her status as the Philippines’ greatest tennis export. She became the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam main-draw match in the Open Era, stunning world No. 14 Clara Tauson at the 2025 US Open in a dramatic three-set battle — a milestone moment for Philippine tennis on the sport’s grandest stage.

Eala also reached the final of the Eastbourne Open, the first Filipino ever to contest a WTA Tour final, further elevating the country’s profile in global tennis. The 20-year also claimed the WTA 125 Guadalajara Open crown, marking her first WTA title. 

To crown her season, she delivered the Philippines’ first SEA Games women’s singles tennis gold in 26 years, dominating Thailand’s top seed in straight sets. 

Her 2025 was a heady mix of historic breakthroughs — from WTA titles to Grand Slam wins and multi-format success — and places her firmly as Filipino sport’s most influential figure this year.

2. Filipinas Women’s Football Team — Regional Champions

The Filipinas rewrote Philippine sporting history in 2025 by capturing their first ever SEA Games gold medal in women’s football, ending decades of near-misses on the regional stage. They did it in dramatic fashion, beating four-time defending champions Vietnam in a nail-biting penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw in regulation.

Under coach Mark Torcaso, a mix of seasoned leaders and emerging young stars produced one of the most emotional and celebrated team triumphs of the year, a victory that not only made history but also signaled the rising depth of women’s football in the Philippines.

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IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS,

THE FILIPINAS WON OUR FIRST-EVER SEA GAMES FOOTBALL GOLD
ALEX EALA WON OUR FIRST WOMEN’S SINGLES TENNIS GOLD SINCE 1999

ABANTE, BABAE! #SEAGames2025 pic.twitter.com/yGVYa2toNo

— 𝐕𝐓 (@volleytiger) December 18, 2025

3. Kayla Sanchez — SEA Games Swimming Sensation

Fresh off representing the Philippines at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Kayla Sanchez turned that elite experience into an unforgettable SEA Games debut in 2025, winning an astonishing eight medals — the most by any Filipino athlete at the meet.

Her haul included three golds — including the 100m freestyle and backstroke — and five silvers, blending individual excellence with team relay success.

Sanchez’s dominance showed not only her regional supremacy but also her consistency across sprint and mid-distance events — a rare feat in competitive swimming and a major boost for the Philippines’ aquatics profile.

4. Naomi Cesar — Teenage Track Star

At just 16, Naomi Cesar emerged as one of Philippine athletics’ brightest new talents in 2025. She claimed gold in the women’s 800 meters at the SEA Games, ending Vietnam’s 26-year dominance of the event and delivering a breakthrough moment for middle-distance running in the region.

Sixteen-year-old Naomi Cesar secured her SEA Games roster spot after claiming silver in the girls’ 800 meters, finishing just a second behind China’s Jinping Song. Cesar clocked a personal-best 2:08.69 in Bahrain, smashing her previous mark of 2:17.87 that earned her bronze at the 2025 Asian U18 Athletics Championships in Saudi Arabia last April.

Her performance was tactical and gutsy — she stayed composed throughout a tight final and edged her rival by a tenth of a second, showcasing not just speed but championship poise. 

Cesar’s win wasn’t just a single medal; it was a statement that the next generation is ready to elevate Philippine track and field, and she did so on one of the biggest regional stages.

5. Kira Ellis — Triathlon’s Rising Star

While her SEA Games campaign added to the Philippines’ medal tally, Kira Ellis also made her mark well beyond Southeast Asia. She captured gold at the 2025 Europe Triathlon Junior Cup in Riga, Latvia, dominating a competitive junior field and showcasing her promise on the international circuit.

Her performance in Europe — a victory that spanned swim, bike, and run segments — positioned Ellis as one of the youngest and most exciting triathlon prospects in Philippine sport, earning attention as a potential future Olympian.

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