 |
| What you're looking at is what happened at Impetus 2017, the first intercollegiate e-sports tournament in the Philippines, that was held last June 24-25, 2017 at TNC High Grounds Cafe in Tomas Morato. (Image Source: GMA News Online) |
From being underrated, the Philippines proves to be a shining force in
the world of professional gaming or simply known as e-sports, thanks to its
best teams and the country's expertise in hosting the likes of ESL One and the recently-concluded
Manila Masters last summer. However, there has never been a professional gaming
tournament that pit teams and players from colleges and universities situated
in different parts of the country. But, that was all changed in one weekend.
Last June 24 and 25, teams from eight prestigious universities in Metro
Manila gathered at TNC High Grounds Internet Cafe in Tomas Morato, Quezon City
and competed against each other in Impetus 2017, an intercollegiate DOTA 2
tournament organized by the University of the Philippines Gamers' Guild (UPGG).
Although the event is not associated with the UAAP, Impetus proves to be an impressive
event with players showcasing their best moves and skills against their
opponents in the popular multiplayer online strategy game.
In the end, Team Kangkong of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) would
prevail and win the said tournament, beating players from Ateneo De Manila
University (ADMU) in the finals. It just goes to show that what happened in
that affair is the first step for more inter-school and intercollegiate professional
gaming tournaments to be held in our local shores in the near future and I
think there is one in Visayas that is about to start soon.
* *
* *
Filipino Gamers Return To
The International
Two professional gaming teams in the Philippines are making their way to
The International 2017, a prestigious international e-sports tournament
featuring DOTA 2 which will be held in Seattle, Washington on August, after
securing their places in the Southeast Asia regional qualifiers.
TNC Gaming topped the regional qualifiers with an 8-1 win-loss record.
For those who don't know TNC, it is the team that make our country proud in the
prestigious tourney by reaching the quarterfinals and earning more than
US$520,000 from the event's large prize pool which was held last year.
Meanwhile, Execration secured a ticket to The International after
beating fellow Filipino e-sports team Clutch Gamers which was murdered
tremendously at the Manila Masters last summer. Anyway, this marks the second time
that these PH-based teams compete against some of the world's best in professional
gaming, so it's high time for every Filipino gamer and non-gamer to support their
pride all the way.
* *
* *
More Jobs, Bigger Pride Eyed for Philippine E-Sports
With the successful staging of the recently-concluded Manila Masters
2017 as well as two Filipino teams securing their ticket to The International
2017 DOTA 2 tournament, it is clear in the eyes of local e-sports advocate
Senator Bam Aquino that e-sports has a huge potential not only to bring honor
but also to become a major factor in the economic progress of the Philippines.
Aquino stated in an interview with The Philippine Star that the
Philippines can produce players that are capable of competing in the global gaming
arena. Aside from e-sports, he also praised and commended local independent
video game developers for their success outside the country which include the
hit popular mobile game Flippy Bottle Extreme and the seven Filipino developers
who have showcased their games at the Asia Game Show.
