Filipino world-class athletes Alex Eala and EJ Obiena were spotted playing tennis together earlier this week following their successful Asian Games 2026 run. In a video shared by the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) on their Instagram account, the two athletes were having a good time rallying the balls at a court in Nagoya, Japan.
EJ successfully defended his gold medal after winning and setting another record at this year’s Asian Games–– 5.91 meters in the Pole Vaulting event earlier this week. Meanwhile, Alex clinched the bronze medal at the Women’s Singles event in Tennis–– replicating her output back in 2022.
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“ALEX EALA VS. EJ OBIENA SA TENNIS? đžA fun crossover in Nagoya as Alex Eala shares the court with Asian Games pole vault gold medalist EJ Obiena,” PHILTA said in their caption.
In the video shared by PHILTA, the two were all smiles as they talked in between the rallies. Alex was surprised with EJ’s one-handed backhand shots as it’s not in the professional circuit anymore.
“Oh no way! You’re one-handed?” Alex said.
The Filipino tennis superstar asked him if he ever played a left-handed player in the past which the pole vaulter answered no.
“Let me know if it’s different,” Alex expressed.
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EJ was also spotted trying to hit the backhand of Alex in the video and expressed how he’s enjoying the rally. In another video shared by Dyan Castillejo on her X (formerly Twitter) account, the two athletes exchanged pleasantries at the end of their little match.
Obiena’s turn to teach Alex about Pole Vaulting đĩđđĩđ pic.twitter.com/gmj8S89mqt
— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) October 2, 2026
The Filipino pole vaulter also gave a quick lesson to Alex about his sport which the latter happily tried. Videos and photos of the tennis superstar trying to hold the pole properly as she ran were shared on social media.
Fans of the two world class athletes shared in the comment section how refreshing it was to see them trying out other sports outside of their own.