SEAG: Team PH assured of medal in women's tennis team event

Tennis player Shaira Rivera of the Philippines in action in the women's team event of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 10, 2025 at the National Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi. POC Media

A grueling opening day of tennis for Team Philippines ended up in victory as it nipped Vietnam, 2-1 in the women's team event of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games to assure the squad of a bronze medal at the National Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi on Wednesday.

Following Alexa Milliam's narrow loss to Nguyen Savanna Ly in the opener, 2-6, 6-4, 6(3)-7, the Philippines needed to buck fatigue and cramps to come up with the win and get themselves into the semifinals slated on Friday.

Shaira Rivera spearheaded the team's comeback efforts with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Thuy Thanh Truc Tran to force the Vietnamese to a winner-take-all doubles' match.

But it was far from a cakewalk for the Philippines despite the momentum swinging to the Pinay netters' side.

Already spent from their singles' matches, Milliam and Rivera endured a back-and-forth three-setter against their Vietnamese opponents Van Nguyen Chanelle and Nguyen Ly before going on to claim the win and the team event medal, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.

For head coach Denise Dy, Rivera's experience, along with their other teammate Alex Eala, was key in helping her team reach success.

While Milliam is making her first appearance in the SEA Games, Rivera is already in her fourth.

"They've been great mentors, you know, they're great role models in general — whether singles, doubles, or off the court. I think those types of things come a long way and they've been doing a great job so far. I think that's kind of why we've had the success we've had so far," said Dy.

The Philippines play for a shot at gold in the semifinals scheduled Friday against a yet to be determined foe in the same Nonthaburi venue.