MANILA: Philippine competitors are preparing for next month’s Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, where they aim to defend a title in an all-female tournament of one of the most popular mobile multiplayer strategy games.
Set to take place in Riyadh from July 7 to Aug. 24, the upcoming Esports World Cup will be the globe’s largest esports festival, featuring $70 million in prize money, and 25 professional tournaments.
The event is a part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy — also by investing heavily in sports and tourism.
Four Philippine teams will be competing in the championship’s MLBB category.
MLBB, or Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game by Chinese developer Moonton. It is one of the world’s most popular mobile esports games, especially in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Keith Medrano, who leads Moonton’s public relations in the Philippines and the region, told Arab News: “Both men’s and women’s rep teams are representing the Philippines in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid-Season Cup and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational.”
He added: “We were given two slots per category, so two slots for the men’s and two slots for the women’s.
“We are actually the defending champions of the Women’s Invitational. So, it’s really important ... to defend our title as the strongest country in MLBB sports gaming for women.”
Duane “Kelra” Pillas, a player from the Onic Philippines team, told sports reporters on Tuesday that they would also try to reclaim the MSC title which Filipino players last held in 2022.
“In the upcoming EWC, we will make sure that one of us will win,” Pillas said.
“We are really preparing to get the MSC again since the Philippines has not been able to get it for several years.”
Filipino players have emerged as strong contenders in mobile esports in recent years — a discipline most popular in Southeast Asia and where they are seen to have their best title hopes at the upcoming Riyadh event.
“In the eSports World Cup, there are different esport titles. They’re all different — it’s like a multisport event,” said Marlon Marcelo, executive director of the Philippine Esports Organization.
“For now, we have a strong chance in Mobile Legends — both in the men’s and women’s category. That’s where our money’s at.”
He also observed an increasing popularity of esports among women, who just a few months after the Riyadh World Cup will be competing at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.
“We have a strong chance in the women’s category,” he said. “It’s heating up.”
