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| While the 45th season is on hiatus, Philippine basketball fans will see some of their favorite PBA players duke it out in a game of DOTA 2 for the benefit of the COVID-19 frontliners and it's not going to be aired on television. (Image Source: ABS-CBN News/Mineski Global) |
Sports enthusiasts may miss the action and prowess showcased by their favorite players and not believe that traditional sports has been hit by something that has spread further by speed and reach. Fortunately, those who have been staying at home during the course of the pandemic can find delight and satisfaction to the newest sporting discipline that has been a sleeper sensation way before it became a medal sport in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and the upcoming 2021 Asian Games and I'm talking about eSports. Hardly unaffected by the crisis in any case, eSports is now becoming a welcome repreive for sports teams, players and fans struggling to provide content in these most unusual times.
Several professional gaming leagues and tournaments have already been affected by the threat of the virus, but it did not stop some from resuming what they have already started such as the Overwatch League and the League of Legends Global Championship Series despite the fact that they continue as online-only events until further notice allowing those who are stuck at home easy access to a constant flow of entertainment. On the other hand, a number of sports bodies are catching on with the likes of the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards having to play the rest of the season through NBA 2K20 and the Formula One's intent of launching a simulation racing series similar to the Mercedes-Benz Virtual Grand Prix series.
In the Philippines, thousands of gamers will be able to see PBA stars Marc Pingris, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar and Kiefer Ravens competing against each other in DOTA 2 on April 6th as part of a multi-game charity event which aims to raise funds that will be used to benefit the frontliners who are standing up and fighting against the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. The same purpose can be said for premiere local professional gaming squad TNC Predator which have joined other teams from across the globe to take part in a week-long charity tournament as well as a group of social media and professional gaming influencers doing their own live streams. This and a lot more I presume are legitimately strong statements that prove the resiliency of the professional gaming scene in any occurrence happening around the world. And as the sporting world continues to struggle, players and fans can turn to eSports as long as they have a strong, fast and stable internet connection within every corner of their home. So, who wants some multiplayer mayhem?
