The ongoing competition will determine which two teams will represent the country in June at the ML:BB Mid-Season Cup (MSC), where the champion will receive the largest cash prize in ML:BB e-sports history.

Earlier this year, game developer Moonton announced that MSC’s prize pool would amount to an astonishing $3 million (P168 million). The eventual champions will take home the lion’s share of $1 million (P56 million).

For David “Flaptzy” Canon, AP Bren’s finals most valuable player in the M5 World Championships, Season 13 is about one thing, and one thing only: “Our goal right from the start is to qualify for the MSC,” the EXP laner said. “This is really important for all of us, especially because we all have needs.”

Putting things in perspective, the prestigious M5 Championships in 2023 had a prize pool of $900,000. The Manila-hosted tournament previously held the distinction of having the largest prize pool in competitive ML:BB history. Flaptzy’s squad won the tournament and received $300,000.

The total payout for MSC 2023 was $300,000, of which tournament winner ONIC Esports took home $140,000.

Monetary motivation

There’s a popular saying in sports that goes: “It’s easier to climb the mountaintop than to remain there.” Conventional wisdom dictates that repeated success leads to comfort, and comfort leads to complacency.

If that logic is to be believed, then AP Bren is toast. After all, the top Filipino team won almost every tournament it joined over the past several months—from the MPL PH Season 12 in October 2023 to the Games of the Future in Russia just last month.

But as far as AP Bren head coach Francis “Ducky” Glindro is concerned, this won’t be an issue for the defending champs.

“Actually, I was really happy when they announced that the prize pool is huge,” Coach Ducky admitted. “That’s because I know it will be favorable for my team.”

He added: “They are heavily motivated by the money. You have to remember, these kids come from working-class families. They definitely have that mindset that if we perform, we’ll get a good chunk of change. And it’s gonna be life-changing for them.”

His sentiments were echoed by Blacklist International’s coach Kristoffer “BON CHAN” Ricaplaza.

“We all know that everyone’s goal is to play in the MSC, especially with how big the prize pool is,” said BON CHAN, who steered Blacklist to three MPL PH titles. “However, we have to take things one at a time. For now, we just have to earn points so that we won’t have to play catchup in the playoffs.”

Erasing the stigma

Gone are the days when video games were blamed for a teenager’s perceived lack of success.

If anything, Filipino world champions like Blacklist International, Echo Philippines, and AP Bren proved that gaming obsession, when paired with discipline, can become a viable and lucrative career path.

This is exactly what Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) executive director Marlon Marcelo wants Filipino parents to understand.

“As an NSA (national sports association), one of the things that we wanted to do is promote esports responsibly,” Marcelo told reporters in a previous edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

“There’s a connotation that if you’re a gamer, you’re an addict or you’re not successful. We wanted to get rid of that,” he asserted. “We’ve seen a lot of esports athletes actually fulfill their dreams. Some esports athletes can buy houses because the prize pools are really lucrative in esports.”

In an ever-changing zeitgeist, what’s frowned upon yesterday can be celebrated tomorrow. A decade ago, who would’ve thought that the lament “Kaka-cellphone mo ‘yan” is why young Filipinos become multimillionaires?

The post Why top esports athletes are now millionaires appeared first on CoverStory.

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.

The post MPL Philippines returns with familiar faces, new changes appeared first on CoverStory.

So can Filipinos and their teams join The International 12 (TI 12), the “Olympics of Dota 2 e-sports,” in Seattle, Washington, on Oct. 12-29?

With a prize pool of at least $19 million (P1.04 billion), The International features teams from China, North and South America, East and West Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Related: The Pinoy road to the ‘Olympics of Dota e-sports’

Here’s a look at certain Filipino players’ chances to realize their dream of making it at the world’s most recognizable tournament of Dota 2 e-sports.

Abed Yusop, 22, from Dasmarinas City, Cavite, is already in The International 12 (TI 12) as his North American squad Shopify Rebellion (formerly Evil Geniuses) qualified in all events after topping its region. The “midlane” prodigy is the team’s best player “in terms of raw skill,” his teammates Crit and Arteezy said in a group interview on Oct. 15, 2021. 

Yusop provided the tempo and aggression for his team’s victory. He dazzled on the big stage with his signature hero Storm Spirit, a character that uses lightning and zips through the battlefield, and boasts a 62% win rate in 979 official matches across all tournaments.

Abed and SR placed fourth in the Lima Major and third in DreamLeague S19. However, their last three events saw them barely reaching the Top 10.

The team of veterans placed 9th-12th in both TI 10 and TI 11, and is expectedly seeking redemption in The International 12 (TI 12).

Other hopefuls

Another midlaner, Erin “Yopaj” Ferrer, and his Southeast Asian team BOOM Esports were relegated to Division 2 of the SEA DPC early this year. Their performance has declined after their TI 11 debut, landing them in a still-decent 9th-12th finish. 

They are slowly clawing back for a chance to be at The International 12 (TI 12) in the Regional Qualifiers after returning to Division 1. The team earlier failed to qualify for the five tournaments and so had to endure a long, gruelling run for a slot in The International. 

Yopaj aims to return to The International using his flashy Ember Spirit and Snapfire and to improve his 60% win rate in 1,530 matches.

Rolen “skem” Ong, 22, a dynamic Position 5 support who also plays “hard carry,” is in Division 2, and it will be a long shot to see him play against the big guns. His Geekfam team joined the Lima Major but was eliminated after the group stage.

He’s notorious for buying Divine Rapiers, an offensive item that provides massive damage but will drop if the user dies and can be picked up by the enemy when games are idling in a standoff, or if the user’s team needs a comeback. 

He led BOOM Esports in TI 11, and his leadership in Geekfam will be put to the test. He has an outstanding 61% win rate in 1,395 games.

Timothy “Tims” Randrup, a veteran Position 4 support in his favored SEA team Blacklist Rivalry, has shown brilliance in his games but has also displayed inconsistency, nearly getting relegated to Division 2. 

He has opted out of BOOM Esports to reconnect with his former teammates in the now-disbanded TNC Predator.

Tims’ signature Mirana or Priestess of the Moon (who shoots stunning arrows and provides team invisibility) is expected to pave the way for Blacklist. The team failed to gain a playoff run in the Bali Major, crashing out in the group stage. 

The Kapampangan holds a career 59% win rate in 1,197 games. 

Marc Polo Luis “Raven” Fausto, a Position 1 hard carry of Blacklist Rivalry, is expected to lead his team to The International 12 (TI 12) SEA slot once he gets farmed with items. His Terrorblade, which conjures illusions for himself and against enemies in an area, will strike fear among enemy teams if left unchallenged. 

In the last The International, Raven’s team finished 13th-16th following a do-or-die elimination game with Western European team Gaimin Gladiators.

Moving out of SEA giants and The International mainstays Fnatic, Raven is back with Tims and former TNC Predator teammates. He has a 55% win rate in 1,002 games.

Still struggling

Armel “Armel” Tabios, considered one of the best midlaners, has transferred from Fnatic to Western European giant Team Secret, but has since seen the team struggle in its matches. His odds of joining Abed are much more favorable as the Regional Qualifiers in Western Europe have two slots.

Team Secret was eliminated in DreamLeague S20 despite a great performance from Armel. Often called Chief Armel, he has won 56% of his 976 matches.

Djardel “DJ” Mampusti, 29, a Position 4 support, remains a dominant force despite the entry of younger prodigies. He has a 57% win rate in 1,160 games. 

DJ moved from Fnatic to SEA team Bleed Esports, which has other veterans in its roster. Bleed Esports qualified for the Bali Major but bowed out after the group stage.

He is known for tapping the Nyx Assassin who targets unsuspecting opponents, and the Rubick maestro who steals enemy spells.

Jaunuel Arcilla, a Position 5 of SEA team SMG, co-led Fnatic in TI 11. He had a brief stint with Malaysian team Geek Slate before joining Team SMG and has not competed in the five tournaments this DPC season. 

He has a 58% win rate in 1,219 matches.

Last chance

The final The International 12 (TI 12) SEA regional qualifying event is a do-or-die battle among the rising, consistent, and most explosive Southeast Asian teams on Aug. 27-31. It will be the last chance for Yopaj, skem, Tims, Raven, Armel, DJ, Jaunuel and other The International aspirants to make it to Seattle.

Can our Filipino players make their magic work and join Abed on Dota’s biggest stage?

Push forward, Pinoys!

Godfrey Tarras, a fourth-year journalism student at the University of the Philippines’ College of Mass Communication, is an intern of CoverStory.ph.

The post Filipinos hope to win big at The International 12 in Seattle appeared first on CoverStory.

Even before young children or even food delivery riders on a break started playing the hit video game Mobile Legends Bang Bang, internet cafes were already packed with Defense of the Ancients (Dota) enthusiasts showcasing their best over cash bets (pusta) or bragging rights.

Visiting players (dayo) continue to travel to internet cafes in various cities and provinces to challenge the local dominant Dota team for an agreed money pot.

Now we are hearing “Welcome to The International” from Valve Corp. president Gabe Newell as he casually speaks at every iteration of the “Olympics of Dota 2 E-sports,” the biggest dream of Dota players, including Filipinos. 

The International features teams from China, North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, and Southeast Asia. It is the culmination of nearly-a-year-long competitive play in the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) organized by Dota 2 creator Valve Corp. 

$19-M prize pool

All paths point to the Aegis, the trophy of champions passed on to The International winners, which comes with at least a $19-million (P1.04-billion) prize pool for the top teams to share among themselves. In The International 11 (TI 11) last year, the grand winner Tundra bagged $8.5 million (P466 million) out of the $19 million for that edition. 

The prize pool balloons, depending on the number of buyers of Dota 2 battle pass in-game, which includes cosmetics, team voice lines across the regions, and an exclusive interactive guide for subscribers.

Dota 2, a sequel to Defense of the Ancients, which was created for Blizzard Entertainment’s “Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos,” is a multiplayer online battle arena video game produced by Valve. It pits two teams of five members each who are out to destroy the enemy’s throne at the heart of their base. 

The teams select from a pool of 124 “heroes” with unique spells and abilities to form a synergistic squad ideal to triumph over the other team who may draft heroes to counter them. 

Players are designated a Position 1 or “hard carry” that farms enemy and jungle creeps to get items necessary in bringing victory; a Position 2 or “midlaner” that gains faster experience and gold and brings tempo and dominance early in the game; a Position 3 or “offlane” that matches up with the opposing hard carry (they are heroes with larger health pools and tanks the enemy ambush, or gank, and also initiate fights); a Position 4 or “soft support” that roams around the map to help the team gain advantage by ganking unsuspecting foes; and a Position 5 or “hard support” that babysits the hard carry with “consumables” for health and for “mana” (that is spent when using spells) until they can become stronger than anybody else in the match.

Learning Dota 2 is one thing, but to be the best in the game and play professionally, players have to be mechanically gifted and show mastery in many heroes. They also need to have faster reflexes and thinking skills to outplay opposing players. 

Outstanding players are often scouted by e-sports teams in their younger years while playing in pubs, also known as “in online ranked games.” They dream of playing in the big leagues and eventually cap their careers with an Aegis.

Road to glory

The road to glory in the 2023 DPC season featured the Lima Major in Peru, Berlin Major in Germany, Bali Major in Indonesia, and the DreamLeague (Season 19 and 20) in Europe. 

Two groups of nine teams will start in the best-of-2 round-robin group stage and will weed out the weakest heading toward the playoffs. The top four teams of both groups will advance to the upper bracket, while the fifth and sixth teams of both groups will play in the lower bracket.

The playoffs have a best-of-3 double elimination format until only two teams remain. The grand finals of each event showcase a grueling best-of-5 match that may last for five hours or more.

Twenty teams from across the six regions—China, North America, South America, East Europe, West Europe and Southeast Asia—will compete for this year’s edition of the online game recognizable around the globe or The International 12 (TI 12) in Seattle, Washington, on Oct. 12-29.

Each region has two Divisions, 1 and 2. Teams battle in a round-robin format of best-of-2 matches. The top two to four teams (depending on the region) in Division 1 will qualify for a Valve-sanctioned event that provides a massive point haul. This goes on at least thrice in one season before heading to The International Regional Qualifiers.

In Division 2, the top two teams will replace the two relegated teams in Division 1 before they even have a shot at qualifying for a major event and eventually The International.

Direct invitation 

The “easiest” way to join TI 12 in Seattle is through a direct invite. Only 12 teams with the most points are directly invited; the remaining eight slots are up for grabs in the Regional Qualifiers two months before the final tournament.

A lot has happened since TI 11 (Oct. 15-20, 2022). There have been new updates on the map, such as a 40% increase in size, addition and removal of items, and hero/character tweaks and rework. These affected team strategies, play and chemistry.

Rosters have also shuffled as teams tried to bolster their lineups suitable for a shot at the Aegis.

Eight Filipinos out of 100 players saw action in TI 11 in three teams and two regions. The Philippines was fourth in country representation after Peru (13), Russia (13) and China (12), showing the competitiveness and quality of the Filipino players.

Related: Filipinos hope to win big at The International 12 in Seattle

Godfrey Tarras, a fourth-year journalism student at the University of the Philippines’ College of Mass Communication, is an intern at CoverStory.ph.

The post The Pinoy road to the ‘Olympics of Dota e-sports’ appeared first on CoverStory.