Team Philippines SEA Games update: Team PH catches fire on Day 8 as Alex Eala ends 26-year wait, Gilas Men and Women reach SEA Games final

Momentum finally swung hard in Team Philippines’ favor as Day 8 of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games unfolded into the delegation’s most productive stretch so far — a day that blended long-awaited history, clutch semifinal wins, and an all-day gold rush across multiple sports.

At the heart of it all was Alex Eala, who delivered one of the defining moments of the Games by ending a 26-year drought for Philippine women’s singles tennis. 

The 20-year-old, ranked No. 52 in the WTA, showed her class against home favorite Mananchaya Sawangkaew, imposing herself early with crisp serving, sharper footwork, and perfectly disguised drop shots to take control from the opening set.

 Even amid questionable line calls that briefly disrupted play — including a lineswoman being replaced — Eala stayed locked in, calmly pushing through to secure a historic gold and reaffirm her status as the region’s standard-bearer.

Hours later, Gilas Pilipinas Women added to the growing sense of belief after grinding out a 66–55 semifinal win over rival Indonesia at Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok. 

Kacey Dela Rosa and Afril Bernardino anchored a composed effort on both ends as the Filipinas punched their ticket to the gold medal match, set for Friday afternoon against the winner of Thailand and Malaysia. It marked another step forward for a program that has steadily closed the gap in regional women’s basketball. 

Gilas Pilipinas Men equaled the Women’s team as they also booked their ticket to the gold medal game by escaping the men’s team of Indonesia, 71-68. Gilas led by double-digits at the start of the fourth frame, but the Indonesians’ grittiness cut the deficit by two points with 22.1 seconds left in the game. Robert Bolick sank one out of two free throws to give the Nationals a 71-68 lead which ultimately sealed the game. 

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HERSTORY WRITTEN IN GOLD 🥇🇵🇭

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala captures her first-ever SEA Games gold medal, defeating Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew in straight-sets in the women’s singles final at the #SEAGames2025!#2025SEAGames #SEAGames #SEAGamesThailand #TibayAtTatag pic.twitter.com/PnVOCsbrli

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 18, 2025

ALL SET TO DEFEND WHAT’S OURS 🇵🇭

The Gilas Pilipinas Men make another Finals appearance, determined to defend the Philippines’ crown in the SEA Games 2025 Thailand men’s basketball tournament!#GilasPilipinas #2025SEAGames #SEAGames #SEAGames33 #SEAGamesThailand #SEAGames2025 pic.twitter.com/ISzM0XPmae

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 18, 2025

PUSOOOOOO 🇵🇭❤️‍🔥

The Gilas Pilipinas Women secure their spot in the Finals with a commanding win over defending champions Indonesia in the SEA Games 2025 Thailand women’s basketball semifinals, 66-55!#GilasPilipinas #2025SEAGames #SEAGames #SEAGames33 #SEAGamesThailand pic.twitter.com/FmPXALxN97

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 18, 2025

Gold medals came in waves from morning until night. The triathlon team ignited the surge early as Kira Ellis, Kim Mangrobang, and Raven Alcoseba struck gold in the women’s relay. That momentum carried through the men’s relay — with Fer Casares, Aki Lorbes, and Matthew Hermosa — and the mixed relay quartet of Casares, Ellis, Alcoseba, and Kim Remolino, completing a rare sweep that underscored the Philippines’ growing dominance in the discipline.

As evening fell, the Filipinas football team provided the emotional crescendo. In a tense, scoreless final against four-time defending champion Vietnam, the Philippines held firm through regulation before prevailing 6–5 in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout — a breakthrough moment that capped a magical run and delivered one of the most iconic wins in the country’s SEA Games history.

Elsewhere, Muay Thai produced two golds through Islay Bomogao and LJ Yasay on Thai soil, while Sibol once again asserted control in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Additional gold medals came from Dhenver John Castillo in men’s windsurfing U19 IQ foil and Melvin Sacay in the men’s pentathlon laser run, rounding out a nine-gold haul for the day.

Despite the surge, the Philippines remained sixth in the overall standings with a 37-55-120 gold-silver-bronze tally — but the outlook brightened with more podium chances looming. Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas,EJ Baricuatro, and Flint Jara all advanced to their respective boxing finals, keeping the door open for another late push.

From Eala’s long-awaited breakthrough to Gilas Women’s composure under pressure and an all-sport gold spree, Day 8 offered a clear message: Team Philippines is peaking at the right time — and the finish line is still very much in sight.

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