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Filipino Tennis Pair Earn Bronze After Close Loss


Bangkok – Filipino tennis players Alex Eala and Niño Alcantara suffered a narrow loss on Wednesday, ending their run in the mixed doubles event at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.


The Filipino pair lost to Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej and Pawit Sornlaksup in the semifinals. The match was very close and ended with scores of 7–5, 5–7, 7–10.


Eala and Alcantara started strong and won the first set 7–5, giving them confidence early in the match. However, the Thai team fought back and won the second set 7–5, which changed the momentum.


In the final set, the match went to a tiebreak. The Thai pair took an early 3–1 lead, but the Filipino duo stayed calm and tied the score at 3–3. Thailand then moved ahead 7–4, but Eala scored an important point to keep the match close. The Filipinos won two more points to make it 8–7, but a mistake from Alcantara gave the Thai team match point. Thailand won the next point and advanced to the gold medal match.


With the loss, Eala and Alcantara earned a bronze medal in the tournament.

After the match, Eala said she felt disappointed but had no regrets. She explained that both players gave their best effort and that doubles matches can sometimes depend on luck. She also praised their opponents for playing well.


Despite the loss, Eala said she was happy to win a medal for the Philippines and enjoyed playing mixed doubles. Both Eala and Alcantara also won bronze medals in the women’s and men’s team events.


Eala will still have a chance to win gold on Thursday in the women’s singles final. She hopes to end the Philippines’ 26-year wait for a gold medal in women’s tennis. She will face Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, who is ranked No. 240 in the world.


Vocabulary List

1. suffer a loss

Meaning: to lose a match or competition

Example: The team suffered a loss in the semifinals.

2. narrow loss

Meaning: a very close defeat

Example: It was a narrow loss decided by just a few points.

3. semifinals

Meaning: the round before the final

Example: They reached the semifinals after two strong wins.

4. momentum

Meaning: the energy or advantage in a game

Example: Winning the second set changed the momentum.

5. tiebreak

Meaning: a special game to decide a set when scores are equal

Example: The match was decided in a tiebreak.

6. crucial

Meaning: very important

Example: She scored a crucial point at the end.

7. mistake

Meaning: an error

Example: A small mistake cost them the match.

8. bronze medal

Meaning: third place in a competition

Example: They won a bronze medal for their country.

9. effort

Meaning: how hard someone tries

Example: The players were proud of their effort.

10. drought

Meaning: a long time without success

Example: The country hopes to end its gold medal drought.


Worksheet


A. Reading Comprehension

Answer in full sentences.

  1. Who did Eala and Alcantara lose to in the semifinals?

  2. What were the scores of the three sets?

  3. What happened during the tiebreak in the final set?

  4. How did Eala feel after the match?

  5. What chance does Eala still have after the mixed doubles event?


B. True or False

Write T (True) or F (False).

  1. The Filipino pair won the second set.

  2. The final set was decided by a tiebreak.

  3. Eala and Alcantara finished the event without a medal.

  4. Eala said she had no regrets after the match.

  5. Eala will not play again in the tournament.


C. Vocabulary Matching

Match the word to its meaning.

  1. momentum

  2. crucial

  3. tiebreak

  4. effort

  5. drought

a. a special game to decide a setb. very importantc. a long time without successd. energy or advantage in a gamee. how hard someone tries


D. Fill in the Blanks

Use the words below:narrow – momentum – crucial – mistake – bronze

  1. It was a very __________ loss decided at the end.

  2. Winning the second set gave Thailand the __________.

  3. She scored a __________ point in the tiebreak.

  4. A small __________ changed the result of the match.

  5. The Filipino players won a __________ medal.


E. Short Writing Task

Write 4–5 sentences.

Describe a close sports match you watched or played.What happened at the end? How did you feel?

F. Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think close matches are often more exciting than easy wins?

  2. Is it harder to accept a narrow loss or a big loss? Why?

  3. How important is teamwork in doubles sports like tennis?

  4. Do you think luck plays a role in sports? Explain your answer.

  5. Should athletes focus more on winning or on giving their best effort?

 
 
 

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