Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) Executive Director Marlon Marcelo reaffirmed PESO’s unwavering support for SIBOL and emphasized their commitment to athlete welfare and transparency.
“To be perfectly fair, PESO has its own internal SIBOL allowances. I’m proud to say that PESO takes zero cuts from the team’s prize pool,” he said.
He clarified that, should the team win at the IESF, the entire prize pool will go directly to the players. “If they win, the prize is divided among the team. Neither SIBOL nor PESO takes any share,” he added.
SIBOL General Manager Jab Escutin and Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) Executive Director Marlon Marcelo made an appearance during Week 8 of MPL Philippines to officially introduce the SIBOL Men’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team.
In an exclusive interview with Manila Standard Sports, the two esports leaders shared insights on PESO’s continued support for the national team, SIBOL’s upcoming bid for the IESF World Esports Championship 2025, and the future of Philippine esports.
Marcelo highlighted the growing recognition of esports as a legitimate sport, especially with its expected inclusion in the Olympics by 2027.
“Esports is a new sport, right? But by 2027, it’s set to become an Olympic title. That’s a huge leap. If we’re going to institutionalize esports, now is the time—especially since we see Filipino players truly competing at the highest level,” he said.
GLOBAL EXCELLENCE
Escutin echoed Marcelo’s optimism, stating that one of their primary goals is to spotlight Filipino talent on the global stage.
“Our aim is always to showcase the capabilities of Filipino esports athletes. Every time we participate or win, there’s a strong expectation for the Philippines to shine,” said Escutin.
Looking ahead to IESF 2025, Escutin expressed confidence in the team’s trajectory.
“Based on our track record, we’ve been named IESF’s Country Federation of the Year. We’re definitely on the right path to prove that Filipino esports athletes are out there and shining,” he said.
He also noted that SIBOL’s success is gradually helping break the stigma surrounding esports.
“You can see that the stigma is slowly disappearing. Before, parents were often angry when their children played games. Now, it’s a different story—some parents are even encouraging their kids to try esports,” Escutin observed. “SIBOL’s success and achievements are playing a key role in that shift.”
BUILDING THE FUTURE
With more tournaments on the horizon, Escutin shared that tryouts and qualifiers remain a priority to ensure equal opportunity for aspiring players.
“We don’t necessarily form teams outright; we usually conduct qualifiers. But Marlon is also developing a national grassroots program to help identify and support new talent,” Escutin explained.
Marcelo elaborated, saying the grassroots initiative aims to give amateur players a platform to showcase their skills.
“The problem is, many amateurs have the talent but no avenue to prove themselves. This program will support undiscovered players who can compete at the same level as current amateurs and pros,” he said.
Looking further ahead, Marcelo expressed hope that esports could bring home a gold medal in international competition.
“We’re really hopeful that our federation can contribute a gold medal through esports. That’s why I have high hopes for GM Jab—not just for the SEA Games, but for the Asian Games next year, and ultimately, the Olympics in 2027,” he said.
“That’s a dream worth chasing. Winning a medal for the Philippines in the Asian Games isn’t something just anyone can do. We need to be ready.”
Marcelo closed with an encouraging yet firm message for the team:
“Good luck! You guys are solid. I wish you the best. No pressure—but I still want gold.”