Bianca Bustamante inspired by Alex Eala’s historic Miami run

Photos from racerbia/Instagram, alex.eala/Instagram

Two of the Philippines’ most promising young athletes – tennis ace Alex Eala and rising Formula 3 driver Bianca Bustamante – are forging parallel paths on the international scene, pushing boundaries and breaking barriers in sports still largely dominated by males and non-Filipinos. 

Both born in 2005, Eala and Bustamante have grown not only as athletes but as good friends, cheering each other on as they chase dreams that once felt oceans away.

Fresh from her milestone semi-final run at the Miami Open, the Rafa Nadal Academy tennis prodigy returns to competition as the top seed at the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal, riding high on her career-best ranking. Her recent form has not only energized Filipino tennis fans, but also inspired fellow Filipina athlete Bianca Bustamante.

As reported by One Sports, Bustamante opened up about how Eala’s Miami breakthrough gave her a surge of motivation.

Bustamante shared that seeing Eala reach the Miami Open semifinals was a powerful reminder of what’s possible for Filipinas competing internationally.

She further noted that their communication has remained consistent, and that they often exchange encouragement and updates, reinforcing each other’s determination to keep pushing forward in their respective fields.

Now based in London, Bustamante is hopeful that she and Eala can reconnect in person when the tennis ace heads to the UK for Wimbledon later this year.

Their shared experiences as young Filipinas in elite sports have created a unique bond that continues to grow stronger with each milestone they achieve.

From racing go-karts in the Philippines to competing on Europe’s premier circuits, Bustamante’s own career is also soaring. This month, she achieved another major feat as she earned a coveted spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Europe list. 

The list recognizes innovators and disruptors under 30 across various industries, and the 20-year-old Filipino American’s inclusion is a clear nod to her impact both on and off the track.

Together, Eala and Bustamante represent a new generation of Filipina excellence – undaunted, determined and deeply connected by a shared vision to inspire the next wave of world-class athletes from the Philippines.