PHILIPPINES — The Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) has recognized tennis star Alexandra Eala and billiards champion Chezka Centeno as co-performers of the month for July 2026. Their achievements, alongside other Filipino athletes and teams, mark a golden month for Philippine sports.
A Grand Slam Breakthrough
Alexandra Eala, 21, delivered one of the biggest upsets in Philippine tennis history at Wimbledon. She defeated world No. 1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek in straight sets, 7-6(9), 6-2. This victory made her the first Filipino in the Open Era to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam event in London.
Eala continued her impressive run at the WTA 1000 DC Open in Washington. There, she stunned Paris Olympics gold medalist Zheng Qinwen of China and defending champion Leylah Fernandez of Canada. Her quarterfinal appearance further cemented her status as a rising global tennis star.
A World Title and a Tribute
Chezka Centeno reaffirmed her dominance in billiards by ruling the WPA Women's 8-Ball World Championship in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She defeated British legend Kelly Fisher 9-6 in the final to claim her third career WPA World Title. This victory came less than three months after the passing of her mother, Josephine.
Centeno dedicated the title to her late mother, adding deep emotional significance to her triumph. The 26-year-old has now won world titles in 10-ball (2023 and 2025) and 8-ball (2026). She also shared mixed team gold in the WPA Teams 10-Ball World Championship earlier this year.
More Golden Performances
Other Filipino athletes also earned PSA recognition for their July feats. Pole vaulter EJ Obiena won gold at the Raiffeisen Austrian Open and the Internationales Stabhochsprung-Meeting in Germany. He also posted a season-best 5.85 meters in his silver-medal finish at Meeting Madrid in Spain.
Young weightlifter Alexsandra Diaz swept three gold medals at the IWF World Youth Championships in Colombia. She also broke two world records in clean and jerk (98 kg) and total (175 kg). Jay-R Colonia added a clean and jerk gold with 140 kg, plus two silvers in the same event.
Team Victories and Individual Dominance
The Manila and Sagay Pony baseball teams delivered golden doubles at the Pony International Softball World Series. Manila won the 18-under premier division by defeating the USA's Pride Elite, 8-1. Sagay claimed the 14-under title with a 4-2 victory over Mexico's RXII Kino.
Jiu-jitsu queen Annie Ramirez topped the adults 57kg division at the 10th Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championships in Kazakhstan. This was her third continental title. The Philippine Volcanoes also dominated the Asia Rugby Unions Cup, capping an undefeated run with a 39-18 finals win over Malaysia.
