In a significant boost to the Philippines’ Esports scene, Philippine Airlines (PAL) has teamed up with the Philippine Esports Organization (PESO), the country’s official governing body for Esports, to provide seamless travel for Team Sibol, the Philippines’ national Esports team. The partnership underscores just how much Esports has grown, not just in the Philippines, but across the globe.
Team Sibol is all set to compete in the inaugural China-ASEAN Esports Competition (CAEC), a major event that brings together some of the best esports talent from Southeast Asia and China. Leading the charge for the Philippines are the Smart Omega Empress, the reigning Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) women’s world champions, who will be joined by Team Boom, representing Honor of Kings (HOK). Both teams flew to Nanning, China with high hopes of showcasing the best Filipino Esports has to offer.
This marks the first time Philippine Airlines has partnered with PESO to help fly the national Esports athletes to an international competition. And it wasn’t just the players who made the trip—support staff and media representatives were also part of the journey, making sure the team was well-covered and supported.
“PAL is delighted to have partnered with Sibol in their journey to showcase Filipino Esports talent on the global stage. Our commitment was to provide exceptional travel comfort and safety, ensuring Team Sibol arrived at the competition ready to compete at their best,” said Philippine Airlines Marketing Vice President Alvin Miranda.
PESO’s Executive Director Marlon Marcelo also had nothing but praise for the airline’s involvement. “PAL’s support made a significant difference for our athletes. PESO is thankful for the support that it provided. This ensures that our athletes arrive comfortably with the confidence and focus needed to excel on the international stage,” he shared.
This collaboration is a big deal for the Esports community. It’s one thing for Esports athletes to receive recognition within the gaming world, but having established brands like PAL support their journey adds another layer of legitimacy to the field. And it’s no small feat flying a team out for an international competition with all their gear, staff, and the added pressure of representing the country.
