It was a glorious homecoming for the SIBOL national team last Thursday as they returned from the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games with a gold and a silver medal, respectively, for the men’s and women’s ML:BB representatives.
The SIBOL national team fielded representatives in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Magic Chess: Go Go, and Arena of Valor game titles of the esports category of the SEA Games. Finishing twice at the podium, SIBOL general manager Leo ‘Jab’ Escutin commended the efforts of all athletes and coaches who participated.
“Generally, the results were better than we expected. Coming into this, I think we had realistic expectations. To be honest, I think we’re really getting good at predicting the results of the teams that we are fielding. That also means that we have a better understanding of what we can improve on, what more we can prepare, and, of course, what more we can sustain so we can continue improving the results,” Escutin said.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino likewise expressed his awe of SIBOL’s finesse and competitiveness at the SEA Games: “It’s an inspiration to our Filipino youth. Pare-parehas nag-rerepresent ng bansa yan, kaya pare-parehas lang ang treatment natin. We’re on the map. Di basta-basta ang pinapakita ng Pinoy sa esports.”
Lakas ng Pinas
Proving the PH playstyle of ML:BB as the strongest in the world, star player and veteran jungler Karl ‘Karltzy’ Nepomuceno returned to don the national team’s threads, as he led the national team to its fourth straight gold medal since the sports category was first introduced.
Comparing his present self to when he first won a gold medal back in 2019, PHI.Nepomuceno feels gratified and accomplished after sweeping Malaysia in the finals last Wednesday (December 17).
“Nung time na nag-first gold ako, wala pa kong kahit anong achievements noon (aside) sa The Nationals pa lang yata. Kung titignan niyo yung achievements ko bago itong SEA Games na ito, sobrang dami na talaga,” Nepomuceno said.
The SIBOL ML:BB women’s team made everyone proud as well, as they brought home the silver medal for the country. But for the squad’s exp laner Gwen ‘PHI.Diagon’ Diagon, it was a bittersweet finish.
“Unang-una po masaya, kasi nakauwi po kami ng medal. Pero at the same time po, malungkot kasi close fight po yung championship (bid) namin,” Diagon said.
Despite their regrets, Kaye “PHI.Alpuerto” Alpuerto still expressed her gratitude towards everyone who supported the team throughout the tournament.
“Ayun nga po, kinulang pa ‘rin. Pero thankful po kami sa mga sumusuporta kahit silver lang yung (nakuha) namin.”
With the conclusion of the SEA Games, the SIBOL national team is now looking forward to the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) Executive Director Marlon Marcelo assured that the national team is already making preparations to win a gold medal for the country in the said event.
“Next year is a really important year for us because it’s going to be our Asian Games run. We are preparing something very, very different. I think the fans can expect a different kind of SIBOL in terms of the strength that the team will bring to the Asian Games,” Escutin added.
