Metro Manila, Philippines – Filipino athletes will be gearing up for another hectic season as major international sporting events will happen throughout the year.

Here are some of the key tournaments to watch:

Smashing start

All eyes will be on tennis star Alex Eala as she is set for a busy first two months.

The 20-year-old tennis ace will be competing in New Zealand and the Australian Open.

If her schedule permits, Eala could see action in the WTA 125 Philippine Open which the country is hosting for the first time in February.

Eala recently ended the Philippines’ 26-year gold medal drought in the Southeast Asian Games after ruling the women’s singles tournament of the biennial meet in Thailand.

Uphill battle

Gilas Pilipinas is facing a tough road ahead in its quest for global relevance as it squares off against world No. 6 Australia and world No. 25 New Zealand in the upcoming windows of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian qualifiers.

The Philippines is tied with Australia in the top spot of Group A with an identical 2-0 win-loss record.

Gilas is riding on a high momentum after taking home the gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

Aiming for a better finish

Filipino athletes are setting their sights to qualify for the Asian Games, which will run from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Japan.

The Philippines finished in 17th place with four gold, two silver, and 12 bronze medals in the previous edition held in Hangzhou, China.

Soaring to greater heights

Olympic golden boy Carlos Yulo is expected to match or even exceed his performance in the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships slated in October in the Netherlands.

Yulo won the gold medal in the men’s vault and a bronze in the men’s floor exercise at the same event in Jakarta, Indonesia last year.

This will serve as part of his preparations to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.