May kilig ba, o puro tennis lang?
Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos found himself in an unexpected love-game situation after being teased about possibly inviting tennis superstar Alex Eala out for coffee.
But before the imaginary romance could even get past the first serve, Sandro quickly slammed the brakes.
“Huwag nating dalhin dun,” Marcos said when asked during a radio interview if Eala was the type of woman he would ask out for coffee.
In short: Nice try, matchmakers.
Instead of entertaining the kilig question, the presidential son redirected the conversation to Eala’s historic achievements and the massive pride she has brought to Filipino sports fans.
“We just have to focus on her success, ang lahat ng ginagawa niya ngayon, and everything… bringing pride to the Philippines,” Marcos said.
And then came the ultimate compliment.
“Parang Manny Pacquiao 2.0.”
FROM COFFEE TALK TO ‘PACQUIAO 2.0’
Marcos said Eala’s growing impact reminded him of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, whose fights once united millions of Filipinos in front of television screens.
For Sandro, Eala’s rise is bigger than any possible showbiz-style pairing.
She is becoming a national sports phenomenon.
So while the interviewer was fishing for a possible “Sandro-Alex” storyline, Marcos was more interested in talking about forehands, trophies and Filipino pride.
PLOT TWIST: SANDRO AND ALEX HAVEN’T EVEN MET
Here’s another twist: despite the teasing, Sandro revealed that he and Eala have never actually met.
But apparently, the six-degrees-of-separation game is already working.
Marcos said Eala lives in the same building as one of his best friends.
“No, I am not, but she lives in the same building as one of my best friends,” he said.
And according to what Sandro has heard, Eala’s daily routine is hardly about coffee dates and socializing.
It’s training, training and more training.
“She’s always practicing, she’s always training, sobrang disciplined talaga,” Marcos said.
So while social media may be ready to ship them, Alex appears to be more interested in serves than suitors.
SANDRO: ‘SHE’S AMAZING’
Marcos also showered Eala with praise for the way she handles herself both on and off the court.
“She’s grabe talaga, I mean, she’s amazing in everything that she does,” he said.
He particularly admired how Eala proudly carries the Philippine flag wherever she competes.
For Marcos, that Filipino pride is what stands out most.
“Pinakamahalaga sa akin is lagi niyang ipinagmamalaki na Pilipino siya,” he said.
He added that witnessing Eala’s rise has been an honor.
SORRY, CUPID — MATCH POINT MUNA
Eala has been riding a historic wave after becoming the first Filipina to win a WTA Tour singles title with her triumph at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington.
She then continued her hot streak at the National Bank Open in Toronto, further cementing her status as one of the country’s hottest sports stars.
So, coffee with Sandro?
No confirmation. No invitation. No love match—at least for now.
What is confirmed is that Sandro Marcos is clearly impressed.
But instead of serving a romantic answer, he sent the ball straight back to where he believes it belongs:
Alex Eala’s tennis career.
Because while the public may be looking for a new “love team,” Eala already has one serious relationship taking up most of her time—
her love affair with winning.
