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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN News/UAAP) |
The recently concluded 2024 UAAP eSports Tournament was a resounding success. Beyond showcasing students' brilliance in this field of competition, the groundbreaking event is poised to benefit the Philippines' national eSports teams in the long run. This sentiment is shared by Sibol general manager Jab Escutin who believes that the UAAP's adoption of eSports titles will aid in developing the youth and their potential to become national eSports athletes. "Yung long-run benefits ay merong patuloy na pag-develop at interes sa eSports lalong lalo na sa collegiate level na kailangan na kailangan talaga natin para lalong ma-guide ang mga tao tungkol sa eSports," said Escutin.
In addition to raising awareness about the nuances of eSports and addressing the stigma associated with competitive gaming, the UAAP eSports Tournament, which was held ahead of the premier collegiate sports league's upcoming 87th season on September 2024, is expected to positively impact the Philippines' preparation for the eSports Olympics next year in Saudi Arabia. "It positively affects our push and campaign for the eSports Olympics. We will need all the help we can get to develop our athletes and give more attention to the overall eSlorts landscape so that we can show the world that the Philippines has what it takes to compete in the eSports Olympics next year," Escutin added.
For coach Jose Carlo Jamir who led Sibol to a bronze medal finish in the VALORANT tournament of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, the inclusion of eSports in the UAAP is a significant step toward grassroots development in the country. "Integrating VALORANT into the UAAP can be a game-changer. It will help the national team scout and nurture young players. This expansion is crucial for building a deeper and more diverse talent pool for the national team," said Jamir. He further emphasized the broader implications of this integration, stating, "The long-term integration of VALORANT in the UAAP can drive improvements and legitimize and formalize eSports within the educational system. It encourages more schools and students to participate in eSports which can lead to increased investment in gaming infrastructure and resources at academic institutions. This can benefit the UAAP teams and the broader VALORANT community in the Philippines and allow young generations to compete and gain scholarships in their respective schools."
Coach Jian "Pauloxpert" Munsayac, who is set to mentor the Sibol Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) team in defending the Philippines' International eSports Federation (IESF) world title, also sees the UAAP eSports Tournament as a critical platform for the growth of collegiate MLBB players who could become future prospects for the national team. "I think it's very good for MLBB's future because it will become the grassroots of MLBB in the Philippines. Players can still focus on their academics while doing their passion in pursuing their dream as eSports players. Since the Philippines excels in MLBB, it can help discover future upcoming talents with UAAP being a grassroot tournament. This will then help us further develop players in the early stage of their career which hopefully would establish better national teams in the future," said Munsayac.
Similarly, in the NBA2K event, E-Gilas mentor Nite Alparas has already identified several promising players who have the potential to become national athletes under the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). He noted, “They [UAAP Esports 2K players] got the skills. Siguro yung commitment lang. Si Paolo (Medina of Ateneo), nakikita ko siya, sobrang galing niya. Alam niya kung paano magbasa ng game, alam niya kung saan yung flow ng game. So, yung adjustment niya, mabilis. And yun yung mga kailangan sa national team." The successful integration of eSports into the UAAP framework is expected to provide a nurturing environment for young talents, ultimately contributing to the strength and depth of the Philippines' national eSports teams.
