PHILIPPINE athletes made waves across the world stage in 2025, highlighted by standout performances in the SEA Games and landmark achievements in tennis, gymnastics, volleyball, swimming, and more.

Tennis sensation Alex Eala spearheaded the country’s sporting success this year. Her breakthrough came at the Miami Open, where as a wild card she defeated three Grand Slam champions, including Iga Swiatek, and reached the semifinals.

Eala made her Grand Slam main-draw debut at the French Open and Wimbledon, pushing top-seeded players to three sets. She became the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam main-draw match at the US Open and captured her first WTA title at Guadalajara 125.

Eala also ended a 26-year SEA Games gold drought in women’s singles tennis, adding two bronze medals in the team and mixed doubles events.

Team Philippines, led by flagbearers Eala and volleyball star Bryan Bagunas, finished sixth at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, earning 50 gold, 73 silver, and 154 bronze medals. EJ Obiena claimed his fourth SEA Games gold in pole vault, while wushu ace Agatha Wong won her sixth. Kayla Sanchez emerged as the most decorated athlete, capturing three golds and five silvers in swimming, including anchoring the country’s first-ever women’s 4×100m freestyle relay gold.

The Philippine women’s football team secured their first SEA Games title in 34 years, while beach volleyball ended Thailand’s eight-year reign.

Gymnastics continued to shine with Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Yulo winning the men’s vault at the 53rd Artistic Gymnastics World Championships and capturing gold in the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships. His younger brother, Karl Eldrew Yulo, also won two junior World Championship bronze medals.

Men’s volleyball achieved a breakthrough as the Alas Pilipinas team made history by defeating Egypt in the FIVB Men’s World Championship, eventually securing SEA Games bronze after a comeback win over Vietnam. The team’s performances have opened doors for overseas stints for players like Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas.

In golf, Miguel Tabuena won the International Series Philippines, defeating major champions such as Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed at Sta. Elena Golf Club. The year also saw the Philippines claim its first Asian Winter Games gold in curling, though the team narrowly missed qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Collegiate sports delivered dramatic narratives as La Salle and San Beda captured UAAP and NCAA men’s basketball titles, respectively, while the PVL crowned Petro Gazz as its new champions, ending Creamline’s five-year dominance.

Boxing veteran Manny Pacquiao returned to the ring at age 46, drawing against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. He also helped organize Thrilla in Manila 2, celebrating the 50th anniversary of his legendary bout with Joe Frazier, where local boxers Melvin Jerusalem, Eumir Marcial, and Pacquiao’s son Eman Bacosa scored victories.

From historic wins in tennis, swimming, and football to landmark performances in gymnastics, volleyball, golf, and curling, 2025 marked a year of breakthroughs for Philippine sports, signaling a bright future for Team Philippines on the regional and global stage.