SIX hopeful esports athletes from Davao City are set to represent the entire Mindanao Team A under the banner of the Philippines for the 11th Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) Friendship Games 2024–Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB).
The games will happen on December 1 to 5, 2024 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
This year, as the newest game in the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games, the six esports athletes, namely John Louie Doronio, Carl John Gavilanes, Robert Johndex Lubguban, Kevin Jay Catane, Kyle Laurence Bicong, and Rod Karl Deocampo, who have been joining several tournaments in Mindanao, said they have prepared to represent the region.
“Our preparations focus on building strong team chemistry, as collaboration and trust are key to success. We’ve been dedicating time to understanding each other’s strengths, refining our strategies, and ensuring we communicate effectively. By working as a united team, we aim to bring out the best in each other and represent the Philippines with pride and excellence,” Doronio, the team captain, said.
Although the team made preparations for the upcoming tournament, Doronio said they have also experienced the common issues an esports team, especially that they are composed of combined members from different teams, has been facing differences in perspectives, approaches, and schedules.
“We addressed this through open communication, active listening, and mutual respect. By focusing on our shared goals, we turned our differences into strengths and built a stronger, more cohesive team,” he said.
The six athletes are carefully selected through their remarkable achievements and endorsed by Davao Esports Enthusiast Association alongside other invited teams in Davao City, gone through tryouts, and fought with other teams in Mindanao Cluster A during the regional qualifying round on August 26, 2024, where they have proven themselves and grabbed the opportunity to represent the region in the international stage.
“I feel deeply honored and proud to represent Mindanao and be part of Team Philippines. This opportunity is both a privilege and a responsibility, and I am committed to showcasing the talent and spirit of our region and our country on a larger stage,” Doronio added.
Meanwhile, the player turned coach Ralph Alvis Nishimura of Mindanao Team A said that “the pressure is high” as the MLBB is one of the biggest mobile games in the country and where Filipino esports athletes dominate in the international scene.
“I was originally a player as well, competing with the high-tier players here in Davao City, and this is my first time as a coach, so the pressure is high, but I am able to handle it since I'm used to high-pressure games as to when I was still playing,” he said.
Following the high pressure to deliver a good result, Nishimura said that, as a coach, he does not want the team to suffer.
“I did not want to pressure the players too much, so I just stuck to what we usually do–playing ranked games and having scrimmages with strong teams. Also, having a quota of ranked games per day to assess the progress of the team,” Nishimura said.
He said the team is looking forward to facing one of the top countries in the MLBB and finishing the existing rivalries of Indonesia vs Philippines and the current country, who has become the world champions during the Esports World Cup 2024–Malaysia.
Furthermore, the Davao Team is composed of esports athletes ages 16 to 21 years old and is part of the 121 official athletes in Mindanao Team A, which are from Davao City, Davao del Norte, Province of Davao Oriental, Provincial of Davao Occidental, and Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur.
About five regions will represent the Philippines, including Mindanao Team B, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Puerto Princesa, and Palawan provinces. PR
