'She's a great ambassador for PH sports': Former tennis ace Mamiit sees bright future for young gun Eala

Long before Alex Eala made history on the global stage, Cecil Mamiit had already paved the way by representing the Philippine colors in elite international tennis competitions during the 1990s.

Mamiit, who had his share of decent run in the Wimbledon Championships where he appeared thrice, knew very well how athletes strive for greatness, particularly in the ultra-competitive field of tennis.

That is why the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games multi-medalist has nothing but high hopes for the 21-year-old Eala, whom he believes is more than capable of carrying the Philippine flag and elevating the country's presence on the global tennis stage.

“It’s a bigger way of her taking responsibility. I believed she’s going to do great things, still young and paving the way, she’s learning a lot, taking ownership of who she is and showing the class of being out in the tour,” Mamiit told Manila Bulletin / Tempo moments after being feted in the 5th Philippines Sports Hall of Fame at the PSC Home inside Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila Saturday evening, June 20.

“It’s not only on the tennis court, I believe she’s doing a great job of being the ambassador of Philippine sports, women’s tennis, [and] women in sports… [her traits and achievements]. It’s an open door for everybody,” he added.

Since her Cinderella run in the WTA 1000 Miami Open last year, Eala made headlines in the tennis world with her charm and talent adding up to her unprecedented feat as a Filipina.

Eala recently rose in the WTA rankings with a current rank of No. 35 after scoring wins in the WTA 500 Berlin Open in Germany where she bested world No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and No. 8 Elena Svitolina of Ukrain in Round of 16 and quarterfinal, respectively.

However, the Czech curse seemed so potent against Eala as the 5-foot-9 lefty ultimately bowed to No. 13 Linda Noskova, 6-2, 6-4, in the semis early Sunday, June 21 (Philippine time).

For Mamiit, a US NCAA singles champion while bannering University of Southern California, it is possible for the country to produce another Eala, perhaps like him, but it just takes the right time and support along the way.

“It’s a matter of time, everything takes a long time and a lot of people have worked hard, obviously, it’s a little bit difficult to really bounce back. I think everybody learns from that and is hungry now,” Mamiit continued.

“It’s always a process, and it’s great that the legacy of tennis is still building… in sports in general there’s a need for support and hunger to succeed and have success,” he added.

Mamiit was enshrined by the PSC as newest member of the Hall of Fame, joining his batch – touted as Magnificent Seven – which is composed of late basketball and football player Eduardo Pacheco, boxer Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco, trackster Isidro del Prado, gymnast and taekwondo jin Bea Lucero-Lhuillier, para powerlifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta, and PBA legend Mon Fernandez.

Mamiit, based in Los Angeles, currently works as professional coach and was the co-founder of the ⁠Tennis Mechanix Academy also in Southern California.

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