PTV LAUNCHES UNITY LEAGUE, GETS FINANCIAL BOOST FROM SPEAKER ROMUALDEZ

The state-run People’s Television Network (PTV) has launched the Unity League, a grassroots tournament for ESports that aims to produce potential national esports athletes under Team Sibol.

For its initial venture, Unity League will hold the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang nationwide
tournament open to all Local Government Units (LGU) willing to field their squads.
This was announced by PTV General Manager Analisa V. Puod during the press launch of the league Monday at the Midas Hotel in Pasay City.

Apart from providing the needed TV coverage along with broadcast partner Intercontinental
Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13), Puod was able to enlist the help of the House of
Representatives and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to bolster the league's logistics.

“The lifeblood of any sport is at its grassroots, and PTV is proud to be a part of the Unity
League, which will become a training pool for esports talent in the country,” shares Puod. “It’s time for us to claim our dominant place in esports the way we have in other disciplines such as boxing, billiards, track and field, martial arts, basketball, and more.”

Seemingly impressed by the Unity League’s goal, no less than House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez committed to raise the financial bonanza being offered by the tournament.

“We want to inspire all our stakeholders here, we are upping the ante, so we will be awarding to the champion two million pesos. Second place one million pesos and third place half a million pesos,” as announced by Romualdez who attended the presser as the event’s main guest.

Initially, PTV offered a total cash prize amounting to P1 million, with P500,000 going to the
league’s inaugural champions.

The speaker was accompanied by Rep. Zaldy Co, Chairman of the House Appropriations
Committee and House Secretary-General Reginald Velasco.

PTV has also tapped the Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) to handle the technical and
operations aspects of the league, ensuring top-notch nationwide tournaments.
PESO is the recognized National Sports Association (NSA) of the International Esports
Federation (IESF), which is the world governing body of Esports and is also a member of the
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

PESO Executive Director Marlon Marcelo said the Unity League will eventually stage several
more Esports game categories to provide a major avenue for young but untapped talents
around the country.

“The first season of the Unity League will feature Mobile Legends as our first game title. In the upcoming seasons, we would want to organize other esports categories such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Valorant, and Tekken.” said Marcelo.

Esports has been a medal event in the Southeast Asian Games since 2019 and made its Asian Games debut during the 2022 Hangzhou Games in China.

The National Esports Team, also known as Team Sibol, has won seven gold medals in the last three SEA Games. It won three Gold Medals upon its debut in the 2019 SEA Games, and two each in the 2021 and 2023 SEA Games.

On the professional level, the AP.Bren team from the Philippines has won the recently
concluded MLBB M5 World Championship. Meantime, the Unity League will conduct regional qualifiers namely in North Luzon, South Luzon, National Capital Region, Visayas and Mindanao and will be open to any Filipino 18 years old and above.

Registration starts February 13 in NCR, February 24 in North Luzon, March 16 in South Luzon, March 23 in Visayas and March 27 in Mindanao, details of which will be posted via the league’s official social media pages.

PESO Celebrates Phenomenal 2023 Achievements in Esports, Unveils Visionary Plans for 2024

Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Esports Organization (PeSO) proudly reflects on a remarkable year of triumphs in 2023, marked by outstanding performances from Team Sibol and significant organizational milestones. As the organization bids farewell to a year of triumphs, PESO is poised to embark on an even more exciting journey in 2024.

SIBOL's Triumph in 2023: A Resounding Victory on the Global Esports Stage

In a spectacular showcase of talent and determination, Team Sibol emerged victorious at the Southeast Asian Games in May 2023. Securing a total of six medals, including 2 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze, Sibol left an indelible mark on the esports landscape. Notably, Sibol made history by winning medals in every esports title at the SEA Games.

The Mobile Legends team continued their dominance by clinching a third consecutive gold medal, extending their reign in the esports arena. The International Esports Federation (IESF) 2023 witnessed further triumphs, with Sibol claiming two medals – 1 gold and 1 silver. Crowned overall champions, Sibol's victories in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Tekken 7 events showcased their global prowess.

The pinnacle of success came in September 2023 when the Philippines was crowned the Overall World Champion at IESF, prevailing over 111 countries. Sibol's Grand World Esports Championship win in 'Taon ng Tagumpay' highlighted the team's dedication and skill on the world stage.

“We take immense pride in supporting a team of talented and passionate players who have been training relentlessly to represent our country. Looking ahead to 2024, we hold firm in our belief that Sibol will persist in elevating the Philippines on the global esports stage., says Sibol general manager Jab Escutin.

PESO's Remarkable 2023: Unveiling New Headquarters and Securing International Recognition

July 2023 marked a significant moment for PESO with the inauguration of its new headquarters in Mandaluyong. This state-of-the-art facility serves as the nerve center for Team Sibol, providing cutting-edge facilities for training and collaboration.

The accolades continued as PESO was honored with the title of National Federation of the Year 2023 by the International Esports Federation (IESF). Outshining 140 countries, this recognition underscored PESO's commitment to the development and promotion of esports.

Anticipating an exciting 2024

Looking ahead to 2024, PESO plans to build an esports facility that can fulfill different esports needs such as Sibol athlete training, onsite events, and broadcasting. The organization announced that it has already the blueprint for such facility and it’s on the finalizing the proper procedures for its funding

Additionally PESO is also expanding its National Grassroots Programs (NGP) with a focus on Visayas and Mindanao. Recognizing the need to nurture talent at the grassroots level, PESO aims to provide opportunities to players beyond traditional esports hubs. Plans include targeting eight locations across Luzon, NCR, and VisMin to bring NGP initiatives to a broader audience. In collaboration with numerous partners, PESO aims to identify and develop players with potential through the grassroots programs. 

“In 2024, PESO is resolute in fostering esports talent through the advancement of our esports facility.  Our focus on enhancing esports infrastructure reflects our commitment to providing top-tier environments for players to hone their skills. Moreover, our commitment extends beyond physical boundaries. PESO's esports facility is not just a space; it's a dynamic broadcast center, bringing online events to life with cutting-edge technology and production values. PESO's vision for 2024 is to create spaces that inspire excellence and propel esports to new heights, ” says PESO executive director Marlon Marcelo.

As PESO reflects with pride on its accomplishments in 2023, the organization eagerly anticipates the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead in 2024. With visionary plans for grassroots development and a commitment to elevating Philippine esports on the global stage, PESO is poised for yet another groundbreaking year.