Luzon’s collegiate teams delivered a masterclass performance at the Estudyante Esports: National Championship (EE TNC) Season 1, sweeping all championship titles across four major esports titles. The grand event, organized by Dark League Studios, took place on February 22 at Ayala Malls Circuit in Makati and February 23 at Dark League Studios, marking an intense two-day showdown.
The tournament featured Valorant, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), League of Legends (LoL), and Tekken 8, drawing participation from over 7,000 students and 500 schools across Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. In the end, it was the Luzon representatives who proved to be the undisputed champions.
De La Salle University’s Green Aces secured their championship title in Valorant, delivering a dominant 2-0 sweep against Southwestern University-PHINMA’s Cobra Esports. While Cobra Esports started strong in the first two rounds on Lotus, Green Aces quickly regained control and never looked back.
The team, composed of seasoned players like Xavier “Xavi8k” Juan (NAOS Esports veteran and Finals MVP), Lucas “Secre” Gruenberg (Team Secret Academy duelist), Aaron Francis “Fission” Sablay, Lance Elmo “Banunu” Gacayan, Luis “Schnappi” Corpus, and Fernando Miguel “Guelson” Dy, walked away with a ₱250,000 cash prize, a trophy, a one-semester full scholarship, and ₱80,000 for their school’s esports organization. Juan, as Finals MVP, pocketed an additional ₱20,000.
Cobra Esports, despite their valiant effort, took home ₱100,000 and ₱50,000 for their school’s esports program.
The Novus Bravehearts from Faith Colleges, Batangas, took home the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang crown after a grueling BO3 match against the UCLM Thunder from the University of Cebu Lapu Lapu and Mandaue.
In a nail-biting finale, Bravehearts won Game 1 with a 20-12 score, but UCLM Thunder retaliated in Game 2 with a 17-28 win. The Bravehearts, however, dominated Game 3 with an overwhelming 26-8 victory to claim the championship.
The winning squad, featuring Zywin “Zywin God” Pedutem (Finals MVP), Ace King “ALASSS” Toledo, Rojan “Shazz” Macasaet, CJ “SeaJay” Santos, and Kirt Brainer “Kirttt” Trinidad, secured a ₱250,000 cash prize and ₱80,000 for their school’s esports organization. Unlike their Valorant counterparts, they were not granted scholarships. Pedutem, as the Finals MVP, received ₱20,000.
UCLM Thunder walked away with ₱100,000 and ₱50,000 for their school’s esports program.
Over in League of Legends, Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) Quezon City Phoenix emerged victorious, crushing University of San Agustin Eagles (Iloilo) in a clean 2-0 sweep.
Composed of Michael “Austerity” Jay, Aiman “SCP 001” Guro, Karl Emmanuel “Nezu” Aviles, John Joseph “SWOOF” Paracale, Van Micha l “UC VAN” Gestiada, and Joshua “Mid Owa” Mendoza, the team secured a ₱250,000 cash prize, ₱80,000 for their school, and Finals MVP honors for Michael Jay.
On the final day, the Tekken 8 tournament saw a fierce battle for the title of King of the Iron Fist. Jean Cyrus “Zaskiee” Quizon from City Colleges of Angeles clinched the championship, outplaying contenders from across the country.
Quizon bested Zech “Zechariahcarey” Pugales (Central Philippine University Golden Lions Esports – Visayas), Louis Martin “Bakalnation” Olaguer (Far Eastern University TamsFX – NCR), and Keith Lourence “Kisu” Mabao (University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines Trace Esports – Mindanao).
The Tekken 8 champion secured a ₱50,000 cash prize, while Pugales (2nd place) received ₱30,000 and Olaguer (3rd place) earned ₱20,000.
With Luzon teams claiming all championship titles, the first-ever Estudyante Esports: National Championship was a resounding success. Dark League Studios co-founder and CEO AC Valdenor expressed excitement for the growing esports scene, stating:
“It’s our honor and pride to see so many teams participate in this new program by Dark League Studios to empower our students. I’m happy and proud of every school, and we hope to have more affiliate schools in Season 2.”
Dark League Studios continues to spearhead Philippine collegiate esports, having previously launched the UAAP Esports program in August last year. With the massive turnout and high-stakes competition in EE TNC Season 1, expectations are even higher for the next season.
