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| (Image Source: adidas/eSports Foundation) |
eSports Foundation (EF) and adidas made sports history with the announcement a landmark partnership that will see the sportswear company outfit every national team at the inaugural eSports Nations Cup (ENC), the first nation-based eSports event of its scale, set to debut on November 2, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The partnership directly supports the ongoing convergence of eSports, culture, entertainment and sports, creating a defining moment for the eSports industry and the global sports landscape.
As Official Kit Partner and a Global Partner of ENC, adidas will design and produce custom competition apparel for the more than 100 participating countries and territories with each delegation – including 2,000 athletes and coaches – receiving uniquely tailored jerseys and tracksuits that reflect their national identity while celebrating the global spirit of eSports competition. National team jerseys will be revealed in the coming weeks and fans can follow these reveals exclusively at esportsnationscup.com/jersey. “National team jerseys carry identity, pride and the ambition of an entire country or territory. By partnering with adidas, one of the most iconic brands in global sport, we are giving eSports athletes the opportunity to represent their nations on the world stage with the same sense of meaning and prestige seen across traditional sports. This partnership will help the eSports Nations Cup create powerful national moments and inspire a new generation of players and fans,” said eSports Foundation Chief Commercial Officer Mohammed Al Nimer. “At adidas, we’ve spent decades outfitting athletes at the world’s biggest sporting events, and we understand the role a jersey plays in identity, belonging and competition. The eSports Nations Cup gives us the opportunity to bring that experience into eSports at a global scale,” said adidas Senior Vice President of Brand Development Phillip Waller.
The eSports Nations Cup introduces nation-based competition to the global eSports calendar in a structured and recurring format. By enabling countries and territories to organize their teams, develop talent pathways, and compete on a global stage, the ENC provides a framework for expanding participation and strengthening eSports ecosystems worldwide. eSports Foundation has worked to establish the global structure of the ENC through the appointment of Official National Team Partners, National Team Managers, and more than 700 national team coaches across 100 countries and territories. Drawn from over 90 leading eSports organizations, the coaches oversee player selection and team development across the world’s top eSports titles, helping bring the first large-scale national team ecosystem in eSports to life ahead of the event in Riyadh.
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GCash Redefines Payment Convenience With Direct Visa And Mastercard Card Linking
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| (Image Source: GIZGUIDE/GCash) |
To deliver greater convenience and payment freedom, GCash, the #1 finance superapp in the Philippines, allows users to link their Visa or Mastercard debit and credit cards directly as a payment source for transactions. This new feature will enable seamless in-store purchases even when a user’s wallet balance is low or even empty, eliminating the need to first cash in.
By allowing Visa or Mastercard cards to pay for purchases in real time, GCash ensures transactions never fall through. The seamless integration will remove the hassle of manual cash-ins while giving users the freedom to go fully cashless, leaving both physical bills and plastic cards safely behind. Users will now be able to link up to three (3) Visa or Mastercard debit or credit cards to their GCash account, set a default payment card, and manage or unlink cards directly within the app. The new feature will give users greater flexibility in how they fund everyday purchases. Security remains a key part of the payment experience. Card linking will be authenticated through a one-time password (OTP) while eligible transactions will also be authenticated using biometrics or a phone PIN where available, providing users with a secure and convenient way to pay using their linked cards.
“Our commitment to innovation means building solutions that make daily payments simpler, safer, and completely effortless. We are thrilled to soon allow GCash users to link their Visa or Mastercard directly for payments. As we prepare to roll out this feature, we remain committed to giving Filipinos the freedom to pay their way with ultimate convenience and total peace of mind,” said Ren-ren Reyes, President and CEO of G-Xchange Inc., the mobile wallet operator of GCash. As GCash continues to redefine digital payments, this feature ensures everyday transactions remain convenient, adaptable, and secure.
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PUMA Philippines Joins The Southeast Asian Running Community For The Thrilling Deviate Pure NITRO™ Launch In Bangkok
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| At PUMA's ‘Run The Rave’ Deviate Pure NITRO™ launch event, L-R: Dominique Roque, Ashley Rivera, EZ Run Club reps (Miguel Aldeguera, Thomas Santos, Eric Isip), Jeff Ong, Rhea Bue (Image Source: Manila Standard/PUMA Philippines) |
PUMA Philippines representatives joined the wider Southeast Asian running community as the brand officially unveiled the Deviate Pure NITRO™ at the ‘Run the Rave’ event held at the NIC Factory in Bangkok, Thailand last July 22, 2026. The launch brought together the region’s elite running clubs and athletes, allowing them to experience PUMA’s newest high-performance daily trainer.
PUMA Southeast Asia and Oceania Managing Director Sanjay Roy opened the event by sharing PUMA’s vision with representatives from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Participants then took part in a guided warm-up session before setting off on the run, getting their bodies ready for the challenge ahead. The PUMA Philippines representatives, which included Dominic Roque, Ashley Rivera, Jeff Ong, and Rhea Bue, arrived ready to test the new footwear for the anticipated “Run The Rave” flag-off. Prominent run clubs and athletic groups like the Chinito Walkers and EZ Run Club representatives Miguel Aldeguer, Thomas Santos, and Eric Isip hit the vibrant streets of Bangkok to push the Deviate Pure NITRO™ with a fun three-kilometer night run. These dedicated runners experienced the shoe’s capabilities in a unique, low-stakes environment that showcased the rapidly growing culture of communal running in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The run proved that pushing physical limits and securing a personal best is better when done alongside a supportive team and an equally reliable pair of trainers. Following the run, athletes participated in the immersive Deviate Pure Experience to explore the technology driving the new silhouette. Built for maximum comfort and speed, the Deviate Pure NITRO™ utilizes nitrogen-injected NITRO™ foam to provide lightweight, high-rebound cushioning to absorb the harsh impact of running surfaces.
This means runners can conquer their daily mileage without suffering from early foot and joint fatigue. Complementing this advanced midsole is the highly durable PUMAGRIP rubber outsole, providing multi-surface traction to grip the road firmly, allowing athletes to maintain their speed and stability whether cornering on dry pavement or navigating slick, wet streets.
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FedEx Strengthens Intra-Asia Connectivity With New Guangzhou To Sydney Non-Stop Freighter Route
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| (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/Federal Express Corporation) |
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, has enhanced its intra-Asia network with a new dedicated, non-stop freighter service between its Asia-Pacific hub in Guangzhou, China, and Sydney, Australia, strengthening inbound trade connectivity into Australia from key markets across Asia including the Philippines. Operating five times weekly with Boeing 777 freighter aircrafts, the new routing is expected to deliver up to one day faster transit times for select shipments from the Philippines to reach Australia in as little as two business days. Other markets include Southern Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.
The latest dedicated service enables Asian and Australian businesses to benefit from faster fulfillment through improved speed-to-market and reduced inventory holding costs, increased capacity for heavy-weight freight and high-value goods, and stronger B2B growth as businesses capitalize on expanding Intra-Asia trade. “The new Guangzhou–Sydney service marks a meaningful advancement for Philippine businesses looking to grow their presence in the Australian market. With faster transit times, exporters can respond more quickly to demand and gain a stronger competitive advantage in a dynamic trade environment,” said FedEx Philippines Managing Director Maribeth Espinosa. With intra-Asia trade posting a double-digit year-on-year revenue increase in 2025, the region continues to be a key engine of global growth. As companies reconfigure supply chains to be faster, more regional, and more resilient, seamless air connectivity across Asia has become critical. The company’s direct connection through the FedEx Guangzhou Hub strengthens this backbone, supporting high-velocity trade and reinforcing Asia’s role as a central driver of global commerce.
This service forms part of the company’s ongoing investments in strengthening connectivity that includes dedicated nonstop Guangzhou–Penang cargo flights, additional weekly freighters between Guangzhou and Bangkok, and an enhanced outbound connection from Hanoi to South Korea. These enhancements help businesses across the region tap into growing trade flows and expand into new markets.
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KRAFTON And CurseForge Announce $95,000 Global Mod Contest Ahead Of PUBG: Playgrounds Launch
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| (Image Source: Output Lag/KRAFTON Inc.) |
KRAFTON Inc. is preparing to introduce PUBG: Playgrounds, an upcoming in-game hub within PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS where players will be able to discover and play community-created experiences. Accessible through the PUBG Play menu, PUBG: Playgrounds is designed to give player-created mods an official in-game home and expand the ways players can experience PUBG. In celebration of the upcoming launch of PUBG: Playgrounds, KRAFTON and CurseForge, one of the world’s largest platforms for mods and add-ons operated by Overwolf, recently announced the PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS UGC Contest, a global creator competition featuring a $95,000 prize pool.
Beginning August 12, 2026, players and modders can submit original experiences across three categories: Combat, Survival and Creative. Submissions can range from familiar competitive modes to cooperative PvE missions, racing, parkour, party games and other new ways to play. Thirty winning modes are planned to be released through PUBG: Playgrounds, giving creators an official in-game platform to showcase their work while making it easier for players to discover and play community-created experiences. Each category features a $25,000 prize pool, including a $10,000 first-place award, with prizes for the top 10 entries. Ten additional creators will receive $500 Mid-Contest Prizes while six Community Favorites selected through public voting will receive $2,500 each. “Since Early Access, PUBG has always been shaped by our players, whose feedback and ideas have influenced its evolution. With PUBG: Playgrounds, players will be able to take that creativity a step further by building their own modes and experiences directly. Through this contest with CurseForge, creators will have an opportunity to help shape the first wave of experiences players discover when PUBG: Playgrounds launches,” said PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Director Taehyun Kim. “The in-game creator community continuously proves that the best ideas come from the players most passionate about the gameplay experience. Partnering with KRAFTON to bring that creativity directly into PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, and to feature it where the whole community can play, is exactly what CurseForge exists to do,” said Overwolf CEO and Co-Founder Uri Marchand.
Submissions will be accepted from August 12 through September 2, followed by community voting from September 6 through September 9. Winners will be announced on September 14. For complete contest rules, eligibility requirements, judging criteria and submission instructions, visit the official announcement page at https://pubg.promo/PUBGxCurseForge_UGCContest2026. For more details and full patch notes, visit https://pubg.com/en and follow the official PUBG channels on YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, Twitch and TikTok.
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VCT Pacific Announces Collaboration With Audrey Nuna For The Stage 2 Anthem ‘superHuman’
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| (Image Source: VALO2ASIA/Republic Records) |
VCT Pacific recently announced a collaboration with GRAMMY-nominated, Korean-American artist and songwriter Audrey Nuna for the Stage 2 music anthem. Titled ‘superHuman’, the song marks Audrey Nuna’s second collaboration with VALORANT which is now available on all major digital music streaming platforms worldwide.
‘superHuman’ is Audrey Nuna’s first solo release since TRENCH in 2024. Created alongside renowned producer Cirkut (Rihanna, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd), ‘superHuman’ is a progressive rap anthem fueled by fearless confidence, futuristic swagger, and an unstoppable mindset. Audrey Nuna showcases her signature lyrical precision and commanding presence while revealing a striking vulnerability, pairing razor-sharp verses with an ethereal, melodic bridge. Anchored by the fearless declaration “Hey world, hit me with whatever you got”, the track moves seamlessly from bold declarations of style to imagery drawn from the natural world. ‘superHuman’ captures the full scope of Audrey’s artistry — equal parts power, versatility, and fearless self-expression. Partnering with VCT Pacific, the release marks Audrey Nuna’s second collaboration with VALORANT, serving as an official track for VCT Pacific Stage 2, following ‘TOXIC’ produced with King Mala. “superHuman is a portal. I wrote this song at a time in my life where a lot was changing very quickly, and I felt more perceived by the world than I ever had before. I wanted to capture that feeling – of redemption, of validation, of the tides finally turning. In the same breath, I wanted to quietly remind myself and others to stay human, stay open, to flow like water through all of the changes and that being more human will always be a superpower if we allow it,” said Audrey.
“Music is a core part of the culture that defines VCT Pacific, and we are thrilled to partner with a world-class artist like Audrey Nuna to create this year’s anthem. Audrey’s unique energy and vision capture the spirit of our league — a blend of incredible style, diverse talent, and relentless competition. We know superHuman will get fans hyped and provide the perfect soundtrack as our teams battle their way to the top,” said Riot Games Head of VALORANT eSports Asia Pacific Jake Sin.
