Manila, Dec. 7 -- The Philippine tennis team is bent on improving its performance in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games scheduled Dec. 9 to 20 at the National Tennis Development Center in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Headlining the women's lineup is world No. 50 Alexandra Eala, joined by three-time SEA Games veteran Shaira Hope Rivera, and newcomers Tennielle Madis, Stefi Marithe Aludo and Alexa Joy Milliam.

All eyes will be on Eala, who etched her name in history as the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam match in the Open era when she scored a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) victory over 14th seed Clara Tauson of Denmark in the US Open first round in New York in August.

As a wild card, she reached the Miami Open semifinals after d...