1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero (leftmost) poses with tennis phenom Alex Eala (rightmost) on the sidelines of the Miami Open. Between them is Mandy Romero. (Facebook)

1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero is still awfully proud of tennis sensation Alexandra "Alex" Eala despite her semifinal loss in the 2025 Miami Open.

Romero flew to the United States (US) to watch 19-year-old Eala's match against world No. 4, American Jessica Pegula Friday, March 28 (Philippine time) at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Pegula ended up beating Eala 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3. But that didn't matter to Romero as the latter's epic wins against top-ranked competition leading to the semis have already captured the imagination of the Philippines and the world.

"Sobra nakakaproud Alex Eala 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭 (Alex Eala you make me so proud)," Romero wrote on Facebook to go with a selfie of the Filipina star after the match.

Romero--an avid sports fan and a polo player--is a former House Deputy Speaker.