Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines will make its long-awaited return on March 15 at the Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati City.

This year, ML:BB developer Moonton highlights the Philippines’ winning legacy through a new battle cry: “Para sa Tagumpay” (For Victory).

The Philippines has won four out of five M-Series titles, the latest being AP.Bren’s thrilling victory against Indonesia’s top squad Onic Esports last December.

“With the Philippines taking over another global title last M5, we are challenged to recognize what winning is truly all about and uncover the various versions of victor for each member of the ML:BB community,” said MPL Philippines marketing lead Harold Leonardo.

The opening day will feature a rematch of last season’s grand finals to keep the tradition going. Defending MPL PH and world champion AP.Bren will square off against Blacklist International right after Minana Esports and TNC Pro Team kickstart what promises to be an exhilarating new season.

Major changes

MPL PH Season 13 will see familiar faces take on new and exciting changes.

One departure from the previous seasons is the league’s new point system. Teams that win two games to one in a best-of-three series will now receive three full points. Previously, only teams that win with a clean 2-0 sweep earn such rewards.

MPL PH also overhauled its tournament structure by introducing the gauntlet format. Under the new setup, the three top-seeded teams from the regular season point rankings will directly advance to the upper-bracket semifinals come playoff time.

Meanwhile, the fifth- and sixth-ranked teams will fight it out in an elimination match. The winning squad will subsequently take on the fourth-ranked team for the final slot of the upper-bracket semis.

“We want to put value on the effort and hard work of the team from the regular season, which they will carry into the playoffs,” Leonardo explained.

That way, teams are incentivized to go all-out during the seven-week-long stretch of the regular season, he said.

MSC qualification

Filipino pro teams will fight for more than just local supremacy in Season 13.

The top two finishers of the tournament will earn the privilege of representing the Philippines in the ML:BB Mid-Season Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in June.

Why is that worth playing for? There are three million reasons.

MSC 2024 offers the largest cash prize in professional esports history. A whopping $3 million (P166,300,000) will be awarded to the top-performing teams, with the champions taking home the lion’s share of the pot.

If the Philippines can continue its winning ways, one of the eight contending Pinoy esports clubs will enjoy a massive payout in Riyadh.

But first things first: They’ll have to earn a ticket to the big dance by dominating the local circuit.