The global esports market has seen a steady rise through the years, with followers spending 6.6 billion hours watching content in 2018. While physical games have been brought to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an opportunity for esports to thrive. Per Twitch Tracker,, an app that monitors audiences on the gaming live stream platform, 56 million hours are watched daily from more than one million streamers.
This positive outlook has encouraged teams to train their players to become well-rounded athletes. Team Liyab, the esports team co-owned by Globe and Mineski, is tapping Strength and Conditioning coach Martin Alido to help its athletes become fit and well-equipped to practice their profession, while at home.
“Unlike traditional sports, esports is largely sedentary. Long hours of sitting may increase the risk of high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression, and anxiety. Encouraging athletes to be mindful of their health and wellness can help push the team to the top of their esports game,” says Alido.
Alido is seasoned in the field of physical fitness. He is currently the strength and conditioning coach of Batang Gilas, the men’s national under-17 basketball team. As their coach, he implemented programs designed to improve strength, speed, agility, and power. He has also completed training and certifications for strength and conditioning in Australia.
Under the partnership with Liyab, the coach developed a customized program centered on exercise, nutrition, and recovery after long hours of play. With his expertise and experience, his programs will address the pain points of an esports athlete and get the team physically and mentally fit, which is especially important in a time of a global health crisis.
“Our vision for Team Liyab and the esports industry in general is to be perceived as a truly legitimate sport that requires talent, skills, and passion; as well as physical and mental wellness,” shares Jil Bausa-Go, Vice President of Content Business Group at Globe. “Having Coach Alido onboard is a milestone for us in fulfilling this vision, and making sure that our athletes are safe, healthy and secure amid the ongoing pandemic.”
Liyab Esports, of Globe and Mineski Global, is composed of three (3) game titles – League of Legends, Arena of Valor, & Starcraft II. Their line up includes SEA Games 2019 Gold Medalist, Caviar “Enderr” Acampado for Starcraft II, Edrian “DoeDoii” Brancia, Ren “Kanji” Motomitsu, Kim “Rex” Taeyeon (김태연), Kyle “Dawn” Somera, Kim “Mocha” Taegyeom (김태겸) for League of Legends. They are managed by a renowned coaching staff led by Gerald “Tgee” Gelacio, Akarawat “Cabbage” Wangsawat, and SEA Games 2019 National Athletes for Arena of Valor Lawrence “Rubixx” Gatmaitan, Kevin “Gambit” Dizon, and Miguel “Miggie” Banaag, along with new members Allen Dean “Don” Viola and Edriane “Zeus” Balbalosa.
Learn more about this story via https://www.globe.com.ph/. For more updates on Team Liyab, visit the official Liyab Esports Facebook page.
