Aira Villegas and Albert Ian Delos Santos represent Philippines at Asian Games

Alex Eala will not serve as the flag bearer for the Philippines at the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Nagoya. While Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino initially identified the tennis player for the role, her father requested she be excused to allow for rest following a busy summer schedule. Eala continues to train in New York after her recent exit from the US Open. She plans to compete in a WTA 500 event in Singapore before traveling to Japan for the Asian Games. In her place, Olympic bronze medallist boxer Aira Villegas and Southeast Asian Games silver medallist Albert Ian Delos Santos will carry the flag at the opening ceremony. Eala faces potential WTA sanctions for skipping the China Open to prioritize her participation in the national event.

• 8:00 AMYahoo Sports — Why Alex Eala will now almost certainly be punished by the WTA for representing the Philippines at the Asian Games
• 2:00 AMYahoo Sports — Why Alex Eala won’t be the flag bearer for the Philippines at the Asian Games