The Collegiate Center for Esports Mobile Legends Varsity Cup is off to a hot start and this early, organizers are looking forward to greater things.
The event that drew 10 school-based teams from the NCAA enters the playoffs stage Wednesday with Letran vs Emilio Aguinaldo College and Lyceum vs Mapua in the upper bracket, and San Sebastian vs Perpetual and Arellano vs St. Benilde in the lower bracket.
Waijip Wong, CCE spokesperson, and Stanley Lao, CCE finance head, told Tuesday’s online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum that the finals will take place on Nov. 21.
The champion team, composed of NCAA basketball players, will receive a purse of P100,000.
“We’re trying to promote Esports among the youth. The only difference here is that the students can play for their schools through scholarships,” said Chong in the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, Daily Tribune and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
“This event is sanctioned by the schools and this way, we can regulate the student-players. And after four or five years, they can turn professionals,” added Lao.
Chong said for the Varsity Cup, each team fielded six players with five to play the highly-popular Mobile Legends.
“Maganda naman ang feedback sa Varsity Cup, and after this we will stage another tournament in January,” said Lao.
If things go on as planned, the CCE will expand by welcoming more schools or holding more events and tournaments in provinces like Cebu.
The CCE is also awaiting clearance from the IATF to hold on-sight tournaments among schools, and give the participants the feel of having “homecourt advantage” when they host other teams.
“Tingnan natin kung paano pa lalaki ang CCE,” said Lao.