After sweeping the group stage, the SIBOL MLBB men’s team stumbled in the playoffs, dropping back-to-back series and missing the podium at the 2025 IESF Southeast Asia Qualifier.
The SIBOL MLBB men’s team settled for fourth place in the 2025 IESF Southeast Asia Qualifier after losing to Myanmar in a two-game sweep in the bronze medal match.
Earlier, the Philippines was overpowered by eventual champions Cambodia in the semifinals, also losing in a two-game sweep.
That showdown saw the Cambodians dominate Game 1, overwhelming the Filipinos en route to a 21-9 win before dispatching them with another one-sided victory in the deciding game, 17-8, in just 13 minutes.
SIBOL had earlier swept through the group stage, topping Group A with a flawless 4-0 record to enter the knockout playoff round full of confidence.
[ALSO READ: Dominant SIBOL MLBB heads to IESF SEA Qualifiers semis after perfect group stage outing]
However, the Philippines wrapped up the tournament with back-to-back losses, narrowly missing a podium finish.
Though IESF has yet to announce how many teams will qualify for the tournament's main stage. Historically, it has usually been just the tournament champion or the top two teams—in this case, Cambodia and Indonesia—that advance to the World Championship.
The Philippines had medaled in each of the past three editions of the World Championship, claiming silver in 2022, gold in 2023, and silver again in 2024.
SIBOL is composed of Team Falcon PH’s Rowgien “Owgwen” Unigo, Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano, Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel, Michael “KyleTzy” Sayson, and David “FlapTzy” Canon, alongside Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya of Team Liquid PH and ONIC Philippines’ Duane “Kelra” Pillas.
[ALSO READ: Kelra, Sanford boost FlapTzy, Team Falcons in SIBOL MLBB for IESF World Esports Championship]