3 minute read

Smart-backed SIBOL claims 1st team gold in Wild Rift at SEAG

AS staunch patron of Philippine esports, PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. is rallying behind the national esports team SIBOL at the ongoing 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

SIBOL is competing in 5 medal games namely Crossfire and Valorant for PC, PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends: Bang-Bang, and League of Legends: Wild Rift, where it scored its first esports gold with a 3-1 victory versus Vietnam last May 8. The following day, May 9, SIBOL added to the country’s medal haul by winning bronze for Crossfire.

Formed in 2017 as the national esports team to represent the country during the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games as a demonstration sport, SIBOL found prominence and wider audience reception when they competed at the 2019 SEA GAMES,

Fajardo had 12 points in the first half that saw Gilas outscore Cambodia, 36-11, for a 58-31 halftime lead.

Gilas will play six successive days during the tournament, and is set to face Singapore Thursday at 3 p.m. (4 p.m. Philippine standard time) for its second game.

Gilas faces

1st SEAG acid test vs Cambodia

Games Thursday (Morodok Techo Elephant Hall 2) p.m. local time / 4 p.m. Manila time

Singapore vs. Philippines (women) p.m. local time / 6 p.m. Manila time

Philippines vs. Cambodia (men) play, SIBOL won a total of 5 medals during that year: 3 Gold, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze. A roster of heroes SIBOL is composed of 46 men and women (together with their coaches) who rose from a stringent qualifier conducted by the national team to get the best possible athlete roster.

PHNOM PENH—Gilas Pilipinas’ bid for redemption will be put to a severe test when it battles Cambodia Thursday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball tilt at the Morodok Techo Elephant Hall 2 here.

Both teams will go into the match set at 5 p.m. (local time) on a high, having started their campaigns on a high.

Gilas smothered Malaysia last Tuesday 94-49 while Cambodia, coming off a golden win in the 3x3 event last Sunday, trounced Singapore 85-60 Wednesday.

Cambodia has strengthened its team with naturalized players Sayeed Pridgett, Brandon Peterson, and Darrin Dorsey, members of the 3x3 squad that beat the Philippines in the men’s finals.

Three more naturalized players are also in the Cambodian team, according to Gilas coach Chot Reyes.

“They are a tough team,” Reyes said. “You saw the three guys in the 3x3. They have another three. They have like six naturalized players. They are going to be a handful.

Representing the country for medal and glory are: R: Nathaniel – PHI.

CABERO, Brheyanne Christ – PHI. REYES, Jose Eduardo – PHI.JAMIR, Mark Anthony – PHI.TULING, Xavier – PHI.JUAN, George Aundrey – PHI. LACHICA for Valorant; John Kenneth Alde, Christian Amores, Matthew Arnaez, Justine Perez, Aldrin Borabon, and Arthur Tecson for Crossfire; Gerald Gelacio, Justine Richie, Reniel Angara, Golden Dajao, Chammy Nazarrea, and Aaron Bingay for League of Legends: Wild Rift.

“We have to be able to adjust and pivot during the game. We have very little knowledge about their games as a team. We have some information as individuals, but as a team, very little. It’s really a matter of how we can adapt. Our adaptability is going to be tested,” said Reyes.

On Wednesday, Gilas was forced to look for another venue for practice after organizers set a morning practice at an outdoor court.

Reyes has also expressed concern over the basketball playing surface, which is usually used in volleyball and badminton games.

“We shouldn’t be playing on a surface like this. This is the situation that we are dealt with. We just have to embrace and accept it,” said Reyes.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser topscored against Malaysia with 15 points and Justin Brownlee added 11 points. Michael Phillips was also impressive with nine points and 15 rebounds.

NATIONAL University survived University of Santo Tomas in a Game 1 thriller of the best-of-three UAAP Season 85 finals, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 29-31, 15-11, to move on the cusp of its third straight UAAP Men’s Volleyball championship, Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bulldogs also stretched their winning streak to 33 games, dating back to their second game in Season 81.

NU will look to close the series out and annex its fifth title overall on Sunday, 2 p.m., at the same Pasay venue.

“Medyo lumamang kami nu’ng bandang huli although ‘yung ibang sets nagiging problema namin ‘yung opensa namin. Buti na lang medyo may unforced errors sila na nakakahabol kami. Sana mag tuluy-tuloy pa at sa Sunday makuha na namin,” said Bulldogs’ head coach Dante Alinsunurin after the two-hour 50-minute match.

The Golden Spikers were still ahead 9-8 in the fifth when they shot themselves on the foot with four consecutive errors out of their 40 total miscues to give NU the 12-9 lead.

UST inched within one at 12-11, before rookie Michaelo Buddin went crosscourt, Clarenz Belostrino made a service ace, and Nico Almendras capped the win with a solo block on Jayrack Dela Noche, 15-11.

The Golden Spikers extended the match with three straight points to end the third frame, 25-21, on Josh Ybañez’s push before NU’s Almendras and Ken Malinis committed back-to-back errors.

This article is from: