As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go said the accomplishments of the three athletes show the depth of Filipino talent in tennis, athletics, and gymnastics, and further strengthen the call for sustained grassroots sports development across the country.
“Malaking karangalan po para sa ating bansa ang ipinakita nina Alex Eala, EJ Obiena, at Carlos Yulo. Ipinakita nila na kayang makipagsabayan ng atletang Pilipino sa pinakamataas na antas kung may disiplina, tiyaga, at tamang suporta,” Go said.
Go filed a resolution commending and congratulating Eala for her “historic and outstanding run” at Wimbledon, where she became the first Filipina to win a women’s singles main-draw match and the first Filipino in the Open Era to reach the fourth round of the tournament.
Eala opened her Wimbledon campaign by defeating Mexican tennis player Renata Zarazúa, 6-1, 6-2, in the first round. The resolution noted that the victory made her the first Filipina to win a women’s singles main-draw match at Wimbledon in the Open Era.
She later sustained her run by defeating defending champion and World No. 3 Iga Świątek, 7-6(9), 6-2, advancing to the Round of 16 and becoming the first Filipino in the Open Era to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon.
Eala’s Wimbledon campaign ended in the Round of 16 after she bowed to 13th seed and 2024 Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, in a three-set match. Even with the loss, her run remained one of the most significant achievements in Philippine tennis, especially after her breakthrough victories over Zarazúa and Swiatek.
For Go, Eala’s achievement was especially significant because it reflected not only individual excellence, but also the potential of Filipino athletes who begin their journey with limited resources and work their way to the international stage.
“Nakaka-proud si Alex Eala. Ang kanyang tagumpay ay inspirasyon sa maraming kabataang Pilipino. Kahit natapos na ang kanyang Wimbledon run, ipinakita niya na kaya ng Pilipino makipagsabayan sa pinakamataas na antas. Marami tayong talento sa bawat barangay at komunidad na naghihintay lang mabigyan ng pagkakataon, maayos na programa, at suporta,” Go said.
The senator also filed a resolution commending and congratulating Obiena for winning back-to-back gold medals in the 2026 outdoor athletics season.
According to the resolution, Obiena captured his first outdoor gold medal of the season at the Czeslaw Cybulski Memorial in Poznan, Poland after clearing 5.72 meters, finishing ahead of Great Britain’s Owen Heard and Italy’s Matteo Oliveri. He then won his second gold medal at the Raiffeisen Austrian in Eisenstadt, Austria, where he set a new meet record after clearing 5.75 meters and again finished ahead of Heard, along with Czech Republic’s Dan Barta.
Go said Obiena’s continued success in international pole vaulting reflects the importance of long-term athlete development and proper support systems for Filipino competitors.
“Patuloy na nagbibigay ng karangalan si EJ Obiena sa Pilipinas. Ang kanyang tagumpay ay patunay na kapag nabigyan ng suporta at maayos na paghahanda ang ating atleta, kaya nilang lumaban sa pinakamalalakas sa buong mundo,” he said.
Go also filed a resolution congratulating and commending Yulo for winning the gold medal in the men’s floor exercise at the 2026 Asian Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Zunyi, China.
The resolution stated that Yulo won the gold medal on June 20 after delivering a routine that earned 14.700 points. It described the Asian championships as one of Asia’s premier gymnastics competitions, bringing together elite athletes from across the region.
Go said Yulo’s latest victory adds to his record of bringing honor to the country and should encourage more young Filipinos to pursue sports with discipline and focus.
“Si Carlos Yulo ay patuloy na nagbibigay-inspirasyon sa ating mga atleta. Ang kanyang tagumpay ay bunga ng sipag, tiyaga, at disiplina. Sana mas marami pang kabataan ang mahikayat na pumasok sa sports at lumayo sa bisyo,” Go said.
The three resolutions cited Article XIV, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates the State to promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.
Go said the achievements of Eala, Obiena, and Yulo should push both national and local sports stakeholders to continue strengthening grassroots programs, improving access to training, and helping young athletes develop their potential early.
“Kaya nating maging sports powerhouse kung palalakasin natin ang grassroots sports. Hindi dapat hintayin na sumikat muna ang atleta bago suportahan. Dapat mula sa paaralan at komunidad pa lang, may programa na para matulungan ang ating mga kabataan,” Go said.
He added that sports remains an important tool not only for producing champions but also for promoting health, discipline, and better opportunities for young Filipinos.
“Ang sports ay hindi lang tungkol sa medalya. Para sa kabataan, ito ay kalusugan, disiplina, pangarap, at magandang kinabukasan. Kaya patuloy nating suportahan ang ating mga atleta at ang susunod pang henerasyon ng manlalarong Pilipino,” Go said.
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