Philippines’ inaugural ‘Esports Estudyante’ tournament to kick off  

The Philippines’ Esports Estudyante: The National Championships, organised by Dark League Studios, is ready to make its debut on Monday, October 14. As the country’s largest campus esports league, it brings together over 500 schools from across the Southeast Asian country, offering opportunity for student-athletes to showcase their talents in four major games. Competing in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), Valorant, Tekken 8, and League of Legends, more than 3,000 students will vie for a share of the PHP1.6 million (€25,573) prize pool.  

According to a Philstar.com report, the team-based games — MLBB, Valorant, and League of Legends — will each offer a PHP500,000 (€7,992) prize to the champion school. Meanwhile, the individual Tekken 8 event will award PHP100,000 (€1,598) to its victor. This competition seeks to elevate the growing interest in esports within the academic sector, offering both excitement and career development opportunities for aspiring esports professionals. 

Regional qualifiers and national playoffs 

The tournament format mirrors traditional sports championships, with four regional qualifiers taking place between October and February. Schools from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will compete for a spot in the national playoffs. The top two teams from each region will advance to these playoffs, which will culminate in the grand finals on February 22-23 in Manila, the country’s capital.   

Fostering growth and responsibility in esports 

For Dark League Studios, this tournament is about more than just competition and prizes. The organisers, including chairman Bobby Rosales, chief marketing officer Alfrancis Chua, and CEO AC Valdenor, aim to support the growth of Philippine esports from an educational foundation. They emphasise the importance of instilling responsible gaming habits among students while providing a platform for potential careers in esports. 

The Esports Estudyante program director, Alexander Kibanoff, and marketing head, Wrexler Bayani, echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the competition encourages camaraderie and pride among student-athletes. The initiative seeks to make esports not just an entertainment medium but a legitimate career path for the next generation of Filipino students. 

A sustainable future for esports in education 

The Esports Estudyante National Championships reflect a broader vision to integrate esports into the academic landscape. By involving schools from various regions and leagues, this tournament ensures a sustainable esports platform, fostering talent and promoting the long-term growth of the industry.