We’ve all heard the news by now. In the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian games, there will be 6 titles under esports that will be medal events, meaning one can win a gold medal by winning the event! “Kaka-computer mo yan!” comes into mind, but joking aside, this is a monumental development in the esports industry and the Philippines is already on the move to prepare for the upcoming copetition.
The quest for gold starts with the formation of the teams that will represent the country in the 30th SEA games. The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Esports Union (PSEU) has been tasked by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to create Sibol, the country’s national esports team.
Sibol will be competing in all six titles featured in the esports event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, which include Dota 2, StarCraft II, Hearthstone, Arena of Valor, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Tekken 7. With the help of Razer, the official esports partner of the games, this will be the first time in history that esports is included as a medaled sport in any international gaming event. Several outstanding Filipino esports athletes will be directly invited into the team’s training pool.
The roster of directly invited players is the following:
Dota 2
● Carlo “Kuku” Palad
● Timothy John “Tims” Randrup
● Kim “Gabbi” Santos
● Armel “Armel” Tabios
● Nico “Eyyou” Barcelon
● Djardel Jicko “DJ” Mampusti
● Marc Polo Luis “Raven” Fausto
● Abed Azel “Abed” Yusop
● Michael “ninjaboogie” Ross Jr.
● Ryan Jay “Bimbo” Qui
StarCraft II
● Caviar “Enderr” Acampado
Tekken 7
● Andreij Hosea “Doujin” Albar
● Alexandre Gabrielle “AK” Laverez
Hearthstone
● Jacinta “Jia” Dee
● Euneil “Staz” Javiñas
Arena of Valor
● Kevin Kio “Gambit” Dizon
● Jeremiah “1717” Camarillo
● Jevan Lorenzo “Bents” Delos Santos
● Lawrence “Rubixx” Gatmaitan
● Miguel Klarenz “Miggie” Banaag
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
● Carlito “ Ribo ” Ribo
● Yuji “ Yuji ” Aizawa
● Renz Carlo “ Pein ” Reyes
● Ralph Mico “ Coco ” Sampang
● Ephraim Jueinno “ Ejhay ” Sambrano
● Jeniel “ Haze ” Bata-Anon
● Erwin “ Yakou ” Magno
● Marc Danielle “ Dee ” San Luis
● Angelo Kyle “ Pheww ” Arcangel
● Lester “ Tets ” Santos
● Mark “ Dysania ” Cruz
● Gerardo “ Eson ” Mark Jayson
● Jeff Franklin “ Jeffqt4ever ” Anaya
● Allan Sancio “ Lusty ” Castromayor
● Jason Rafael “ Jay ” Torculas
● Ashleymarco “ Killuash ” Cruz
● Kyle “ Ryo ” Berceño
In charge of the selection process and the handling of the teams are decorated and well-respected managers and coaches. These people will be the core people in the selection committee, whose first major task is to determine the Sibol team who will compete in December.
Dota 2
● Manager: Paulo Sy
● Coach: Paolo “SNDATA” Bago
StarCraft II
● Manager: Jess Joaustine “JackDReaper” Tamboboy
● Coach: Mark Ryan “eXoBLaZeR” Rapisura
Arena of Valor
● Manager: Neme Victa
● Coach: Rafael “Cyriux” Albert
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
● Manager: Leo Andrew “Jab” Escutin
● Coaches: Michelle “Mits” Liwanag and Brian “Panda” Lim
Tekken 7
● Manager: Ron “Hot-E” Muyot
● Coach: Djamille “Naturelover” San Juan
Hearthstone
● Manager: Richard “Pompi” Castillo
● Coach: Jan Martin “Chalk” Zaldivar
Driving the search for athletes to comprise Sibol, the PSEU has partnered with Razer. “Esports has been at the heart of Razer since the beginning,” says David Tse, Global Esports Director at Razer. “As the leading brand in esports, we have supported countless global events, teams, and athletes over the years and continue to push Esports to new heights. Now we are very excited to help esports enter a new era, where it will be a medalled event for the first time in the SEA Games.”
“We are very excited to have Razer as our partner,” says Ms. Jane Basas, PSEU co-Chairman and President of Cignal TV. “The brand has been a consistent proponent of the recognition and legitimacy of esports around the world. With their support, as well as our other partners, the PSEU is confident that the qualifiers for Sibol will bring out the best and most talented esports
athletes in the country. We stand firm in our goal of SEA Games gold, and we as a team pledge to support Sibol every step of the way.”
Aside from partnering with Razer, the PSEU has also partnered with Mountain Dew as its official power-up drink. Mountain Dew is not new to esports, and they want to continue their commitments to the industry by pledging support to Sibol.
Information about the team can be found on the Sibol Esports Facebook page and on Twitter and Instagram, @SIBOLesports.
Videogame Content Editor. A father and gamer. Would gladly trade what’s left of his soul to witness a Final Fantasy 6 and Xenogears remake done during his lifetime.
