Manila: Tennis star Alexandra Eala and billiards player Chezka Centeno were recognized as the top achievers by the Philippine Sportswriters Association for the month of July.
According to Philippines News Agency, Eala, at 21, made history by defeating defending champion Iga Swiatek, 7-6 (9), 6-2, at Wimbledon, becoming the first Filipino to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam in the Open era. She continued her impressive performance at the WTA 1000 DC Open in Washington, where she overcame Paris Olympics gold medalist Quinweng Zheng of China and defending champion Leylah Fernandez of Canada to advance to the quarterfinals.
Centeno reaffirmed the country's status in global pool by winning the WPA Women's 8-Ball World Championship in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She previously claimed the world 10-ball title in 2003 and 2025 and shared the mixed team gold at the WPA Teams 10-Ball World Championship with fellow world champions Rubilen Amit, Carlo Biado, and Jeffrey Roda last February.
Other notable achievers included pole vaulter EJ Obiena, weightlifter Alexsandra Diaz, the Manila and Sagay Pony baseball teams, jiu-jitsu competitor Annie Ramirez, and the Philippine Volcanoes. Obiena won two competitions in July, achieving a season-best record of 5.85m at Meeting Madrid in Spain. Diaz excelled at the IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Colombia, breaking two world records and winning three gold medals.
The young baseball teams captured double golds, with Manila triumphing in the 18-under division at the Pony International Softball World Series in Texas, and Sagay claiming victory in the 14-under division against Mexico. Ramirez secured her third title in the adults 57kg division at the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championships in Kazakhstan. The Philippine Volcanoes completed an unbeaten run at the Asia Rugby Unions Cup in Thailand, finishing with a 39-18 victory over Malaysia in the finals.
