The Philippines is seeing a digital revolution with the rise of competitive gaming. We are witnessing Filipino players and teams dominating many tournaments on the international scene. This growth allows for an increase in Philippines betting options, where fans can now engage in more than just spectating, they can also wager on their favorite teams and players.
The Top Teams to Look Out For
In 2017, The Philippine Game and Amusement Board (PGAB) officially recognized esports as a legitimate sport in the country. Since then, professional esports players have secured their own athletic licenses, allowing them to represent their country in international esports tournaments.
The Philippines is a mobile-dominated country, and most major tournaments are mobile esports tournaments. With the massive growth in esports over the years, many tournaments offer substantial prize pools. Fans can access some of the best gambling sites in the Philippines found on Online-Gambling.com to bet on their favorite teams and players.
Many Filipino gaming teams have made big names on the international scene. Here, we have a look at a few of the dominant names.
ONIC Philippines
Formerly known as Fnatic ONIC Philippines, ONIC Philippines or ONIC PH is a Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports team. This team has participated in the MPL PH since season 4 in 2019 and has been one of the top contenders.
Season 14 in 2024 saw the addition of two new players, former Minana EVOS player Kirk and former RRQ Hoshi player Brusko. The team was able to secure first seed in MPL Philippines Season 14 and broke the long-standing record that was set by Blacklist International during Season 7.
ONIC Philippines were able to win thirteen consecutive games without dropping a single loss, but their final match saw their first and only drop of the season.
The team returned to the world stage after beating Falcons AP Bren in the upper bracket finals 3 – 1. Aurora Gaming saw a potential comeback in the final, but Fnatic ONIC PH won their first franchise title ever as they beat Aurora Gaming 4 – 3.
Aurora Gaming
Aurora Gaming, commonly known as Aurora, is an esports team founded in Serbia in 2022. Aurora Gaming features on professional rosters, including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Dota 2, Apex Legends, and Counter-Strike 2. The Aurora MLBB team is based in the Philippines.
Aurora’s main sponsor is 1xBet. The team joined the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) league on 27 July 2024, making them one of the newest additions to the scene. In the MPL Philippines Season 14, Aurora performed impressively from the start and made it to the Grand Final where they narrowly lost to Fnatic ONIC Philippines 3 games to 4.
TNC Predator
TNC Predator was formerly known as the TNC Pro Team. The organization was founded in July 2021 and competes in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Dota 2 leagues. It is a pro gaming team of the Philippine net cafe chain TheNet.Com.
The team holds an all-time win rate of 56%. TNC placed first in the TI6 Southeast Asia Qualifiers and became the first team from the Philippines to qualify for The International since Mineski at TI 1.
TNC Predator took a break from Dota 2 for a while but returned with a revamped roster including new player Carlo Palad (Kuku). The current player roster includes Kokz, Jing, Yowe, and Kuku.
Execration
Execration is a professional Dota 2 team from the Philippines actively participating in international minor tournaments and qualifiers. The team was founded in 2014 and is currently ranked 24th in the world with a win rate of 46%. The current roster includes cml, Tino, lewis, Shanks, and Akashi.
Team Secret PH
Team Secret is an esports team that was established in 2014. They are best known for their Valorant team. Team Secret started competing in Valorant in 2021 after acquiring the roster of Bren Esports early in September, who were set to represent Southeast Asia in the 2021 Valorant Champions Tour. However, this didn’t happen because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Currently the Team Secret Valorant roster includes JessieVash, invy, Jremy, WildOreoo, and 2GE, all from the Philippines.
G2 Blacklist
The G2 Blacklist, known as the G2B is a Wild Rift team consisting of Blacklist International and G2 Esports. Blacklist International is one of the most prominent esport organizations in the Philippines. The partnership with G2 Esports saw the G2 Blacklists competing in the League of Legends Wild Rift.
Accessibility and Affordability of Mobile Gaming in the Philippines
Many people in the Philippines can’t afford high-end gaming PCs. However, mobile phones are necessary in today’s world and easily accessible to most people. Games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang have become increasingly popular because they run smoothly on most smartphones, including the older models.
The availability of smartphones has made gaming a popular pastime. Most Filipinos of all ages have access to the MLBB, which allows players to sharpen their skills from a young age.
Strong Support for Teams and Players
The thriving esports scene in the Philippines is backed by strong support from fans, organizations, and sponsors. Teams receive financial backing for coaching clinics, boot-camps, and general day-to-day running.
Fans also play a huge role in their support, motivating players to perform their best. There is so much energy behind Filipino supporters, which drives the teams and players’ success.
International Exposure
Filipino teams have gained massive international exposure and experience, which plays a major role in their continued success. Competing against significant teams worldwide has allowed them to learn new strategies and techniques. The teams grow stronger after each international event, regardless of the outcome.
Conclusion
The Philippine’s success in international esports events is no surprise. It all comes from having easy access, a deep-routed gaming culture, a competitive spirit, and strong support and backing.
These elements form the perfect recipe for success. With the 2025 season underway, we’re watching to see how these Filipino teams will perform. Will the Filipino teams remain at the forefront of the global gaming community?
