The men’s event of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has only known one champion in the SEA Games.
SIBOL dominates Malaysia with a 3-0 sweep in the men’s finals of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) tournament in the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, winning its third straight gold in the event on Sunday.
The Philippine team, composed of Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel, David “FlapTzy” Canon, Kyle Angelo “KyleTzy” Sayson, Marco “Super Marco” Requitano, Rowgien Stimpson “Owgwen” Unigo, and Nowee “Ryota” Macasa, seemed eager from the get-go to take revenge against the Malaysians, who handed them a 1-0 defeat in the group stage.
The crew, backed by pro franchise Bren Esports, had to crawl in the semifinals to make it to the finals.
And when it mattered most, they delivered a beating of Malaysia in the gold medal match—proving that the Philippines is still the king of MLBB, having won all of the three men’s tournaments since the 2019 SEA Games in Manila.
The Filipino pro gamers also had a significant support from the bleachers even if they played in foreign soil, as Filipino fans filled the NABA Theater in Phnom Penh with their passion.
It wasn't only with the fans that SIBOL connected with, and the gold medal win isn't the only highlight, as the Pinoys also shared a wonderful moment with players of Timor Leste on Saturday.
Arcangel and crew outclassed Timor Leste in the group stage, finishing the one-game match in only over eight minutes of gameplay. They led in kills 17 to 0. Given that, it wasn't trash talking and taunting that littered the match, but good, old sportsmanship as the two teams formed a friendly connection.
As a sign of appreciation, the team from Timor Leste bestowed honorary tais scarves to SIBOL after the match. The two squads even took a bow together in a moment that reminded fans about the beauty of sport.
Until the finals, players of SIBOL wore the scarves. And in the awarding ceremony, they even shared the stage, extending the love further.
Perhaps this is why the Pinoys are gold medalists.
(With reports from Doreen Suaybaguio, One Sports)