MANILA — Alex Eala got the backing of a fellow Filipino sports icon ahead of her return to the Miami Open this year.

Before competing at the Hard Rock Stadium, Eala first paid a visit to the Miami Heat, where she reconnected with their Filipino-American coach, Erik Spoelstra.

Eala and “Coach Spo” first met in 2023, with the coach introducing the Filipina tennis ace to star center Bam Adebayo.

At the time, Eala was coming off a 2-6, 5-7 loss to Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania in the first round.

She returns to the Miami Open as the 31st seed this time around, having made it all the way to the semifinals last year in her breakthrough at the WTA 1000 tournament.

“Just two powerhouses repping the Philippines at the highest level,” the Miami Heat wrote in their social media accounts. “Good luck in the Miami Open, Alex!”

They also congratulated Eala for reaching a career-high of No. 29 in the WTA rankings.

Speaking to TJ Manotoc of ABS-CBN News, Eala called Spoelstra a “role model” for Filipinos.

“It was so cool. Coach [Spo] watched one of my matches last year and I haven’t seen him since then. But it’s always so nice to reconnect with him,” she said.

“He’s obviously such an amazing person and very accomplished and very humble. Good role model for us Filipinos,” she added.

Eala is set to play Laura Siegemund of Germany in the second round on Friday (Manila time).