From her early days as a courtside reporter for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in the mid-2010s, Mara Aquino quickly became a household name in sports and entertainment. Known for her radiant smile and infectious energy, she captured hearts with her charm and natural hosting flair.
Beloved for her engaging style and iconic one-liners, Mara rose to fame as the host of Moneyball, the PBA’s popular halftime game show.
Years after her memorable television stint, Mara found herself thriving in an entirely new arena—esports, an industry that has allowed her to grow and evolve as a host and personality.
In an exclusive interview, Manila Standard Sports caught up with Mara to talk about her life after the PBA and her exciting journey in the world of competitive gaming.
After her final show with the PBA in 2018, Mara returned to Canada.
“I worked for Omni TV there for the Pinoy edition, did some commercials, and some production work while I was in Canada,” she recalled.
She eventually came back to the Philippines just before the pandemic—only to find that traditional sports broadcasting was limited, with basketball games held inside bubbles.
To stay connected with audiences, Mara joined Magic 89.9’s Good Times with Mo morning show, where she worked alongside Mo Twister, Sam Oh, Alex Calleja, Karylle, and, once a week, Senator Bam Aquino.
Her return to the spotlight took an unexpected turn when a friend from the esports community reached out.
“My friend Karl (Karl ‘Rockhart’ To)—I used to give him broadcasting tips and send him messages. Little did I know they were looking for a host,” she said.
“When I watched him, I thought, ‘There’s still broadcasting going on?’ because I assumed everything had stopped during the pandemic. I told myself, ‘I want to do that.’ Then they got me—and from there, everything just took off.”
For those unfamiliar with the esports scene, Mara offers a simple comparison:
“If I were to describe esports to someone who doesn’t play, I’d say: picture the NBA or the PBA. It’s just like that—but instead of basketballs, we have mobile games. Five players compete against another five on stage, with a live audience watching.”
Mara’s passion for esports shines through as she talks about the opportunities it has brought her.
“The esports life is great—it’s a huge part of my life now. Because of it, I’ve traveled to so many countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, and even Riyadh. I get to travel for work. Esports has made a tremendous contribution to my life.”
Comparing her experiences in traditional sports and esports hosting, Mara notes some striking differences:
“Traditional sports are very by-the-book—everything is planned, and you’re dealing with older athletes who can handle tougher questions.”
“But in esports, some players are under 20. You have to protect their image and ensure that everything we do—especially when creating rivalry content—is respectful. I always prep them in advance to make sure nothing crosses the line.”
When asked about her most memorable experience so far, Mara didn’t hesitate:
“It’s definitely EWC—it’s like the Olympics of esports, where all the biggest games come together.”
As one of the leading personalities in esports, Mara remains grounded and grateful for how far she’s come.
“I have my announcer pack now. I’ve gone to the biggest stages. I hosted basketball during the time of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics—though it was during the pandemic.”
“Now, I’m the main host for esports internationally. I recently won an award in Riyadh for my work in esports—and I think that speaks for itself.”
