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| Top Left: Smart University Clash 2023 MVP Joshua 'Aspect' Tating with VIRIDUS ARCUS and Smart Communications representatives; Top Right: De La Salle University's VIRIDUS ARCUS raising the Smart University Clash 2023 championship trophy; Bottom Left: Smart University Clash 2023 second runners-up KABUD ESPORTS of University of Cebu-Banilad; Bottom Right: Smart University Clash 2023 first runners-up TELETIGERS TGR GOLD of University of Sto. Tomas (Image Source: Swirling Over Coffee/Smart Communications Inc.) |
PLDT wireless unit and top eSports supporter Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently gathered the top collegiate teams for the first nationwide inter-school Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) tournament played over the Smart Giga Arena. “We are thrilled to host the first Smart University Clash that harnesses the youth’s passion for mobile gaming. It’s an opportunity for them to bond with their friends and form a team, and develop their strategy to compete at the Giga Arena against the best teams from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” said Smart First Vice President (FVP) and Head of Go-To-Market and Subscriber Management Melvin Consunji-Nubla.
Between July and August, Giga Arena saw intense battles between 59 teams in a single elimination format. When the dust settled, eight squads survived to cross swords in the final phaset held at the SM North Edsa Cyberzone. VIRIDIS ARCUS from the De La Salle University dominated the first ever Smart University Clash. The DLSU quintet of Journey Nixon ‘Jinx’ Ong, Joshua ‘Aspect’ Tating, Ryu ‘laytutu’ Godoy, Clement ‘Clem’ Chua, and Francis ‘N4TSU’ De Mesa crushed FEU INVICTA from Far Eastern University in the quarterfinals before subduing a gritty KABUD ESPORTS from the University of Cebu-Banilad in the semifinals. The TELETIGERS TGR GOLD from the University of Sto. Tomas toppled EAC-C GENERALS representing Emilio Aguinaldo College – Cavite in the quarters. They, then, knocked out HCDC ESPORTS A from Holy Cross of Davao College in the semis to set up a giga showdown with the eSports athletes from Taft.
But VIRIDIS ARCUS, with laser focus and surgical strikes, blanked the UST-based squad. “We just kept it simple. We front-loaded our tanks and stuck to our strategy,” said Joshua ‘Aspect’ Tating who was hailed as the league’s first Most Valuable Player (MVP). HCDC ESPORTS B from Davao and EXCELSIORS EXPO from Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHSMU) in Bacolod City completed the quarterfinal cast. The champions of the first Smart University Clash took home Php75,000 in cash. The first runner up received Php45,000 while the second runner up received Php25,000. “eSports is also a competition of the mind. It demands teamwork. It encourages the youth to be more collaborative. Smart did a great job hosting the tournament,” said CHMSU faculty member and EXCELSIORS EXPO coach Manuel Buncio.
Giga Arena is Smart’s eSports and arcade gaming platform that makes it easy for Smart and TNT subscribers to play their favorite mobile games and join tournaments to compete with other players. The platform offers flexibility for users to customize their experience depending on the type of game and the number of players or groups they want to play with. Subscribers can also win instant prizes in arcade games and tournaments. Giga Arena provides a professional gaming experience where players can hone their skills in a competitive field. And to make sure they enjoy a seamless experience, the platform assigns a dedicated tech support team that tournament hosts can chat with anytime during the event. To get the best deals for Giga Arena, Smart and TNT subscribers are encouraged to download and load up via the Smart App to collect Giga Arena tickets that come with their favorite offers. Giga Arena tickets are needed to join tournaments and play arcade games on the platform. The Smart University Clash is part of Smart’s broad range of activities that empowers the youth to live more today by giving them opportunities to pursue their passions. The initiative also highlights the use of technology to create a happy space that builds bridges of collaboration across sectors and communities.
