From the Inquirer online article dated April 11, 2010 at the Inquirer Global Nation Website

MANILA, Philippines—Seven-year-old Miko Eala is the new boy wonder of Philippine tennis.

The Grade 2 student from Xavier School beat an international cast to win the 8 and under category championship at the Krasae Tennis Camp Junior Challenge 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand from March 27-29.

More than 300 boys and girls aged 7-18 competed in their respective categories in one of Thailand’s most prestigious national age-group tennis tournaments.

Thailand is a regional tennis powerhouse but Eala beat 15 other Thai junior national players knocking down number 1 seed, Nattapol Wara Sin, in the finals with a lopsided score of 4-0, 4-1 in the two-set championship match.

Eala is the first Filipino to win an international juniors tennis championship in the 8 and under category.

Dad Mike Eala, a businessman, beams with pride. “Miko really trained hard for the tournament and to win the championship against tough competition in Thailand makes it even more gratifying and we’re very proud of him.”

“I’m overwhelmed by my son’s victory, he’s worked very hard to get to this level and he’s really proud to be Pinoy,” says Rizza, Miko’s mom.

Eala is not only a top young athlete; he’s also an honor student in his class in the just recently concluded school year. He is a Philippine home-grown tennis talent with his training base at Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig.

His advanced athletic skills have been honed by his grandfather-coach, Bobby Maniego, since he started learning basic tennis at the age of four.