University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Far Eastern University (FEU) have emerged as the top seeds in their respective groups following the conclusion of the 2024 UAAP Esports Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Tournament group stage on Tuesday at Hyundai Hall, Arete Ateneo in Quezon City.
The semifinals will kick off at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 21.
The first match will feature a crossover semifinal between FEU and University of the East (UE). Afterwards comes a clash between UST and National University (NU) at 12:00 PM.
The finals are scheduled to start at 2:30 PM.
FEU, represented by Benedict Ablanida, Jordan Eder, Dashmielle Farin, Kevin Reyes, Micole Wage, and Paolo Sanchez, secured the top spot in Group A.
The Tamaraws Esports achieved this by forcing a 1-1 split with De La Salle University, then delivering a commanding 2-0 victory over the Bulldogs on the final day of the group stage.
“Kaninang umaga nung dumating kami dito, yung pinagdadasal lang namin talaga is makapasok ng playoffs eh. Kumbaga, di talaga namin hinahabol yung top seed. Yun lang muna, one step at a time,” said FEU head coach John Erwin Magno about their unexpected top seeding in the playoffs.
“Ang goal lang namin is makapasok ng playoffs, tapos doon namin sisimulan lahat ng pwede naming gawin.”
Magno emphasized the importance of building momentum and confidence as they advance.
“Pinaka-important ngayon is nagkakaron kami ng momentum and confidence. Yung feeling mo na kaya mo. Nagkakaron yung mga bata ng ganung confidence dahil nakuha namin ang top seed. Kita ko sa mukha nila ngayon yun eh,” he added.
Despite their loss, NU – represented by Rendell Bangsal, Harold Blas, John Ver Gerez, Angel Christian Ico, Robby Miguel Martin, and John Prince Paculan – still qualified for the playoffs as the second seed.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Bulldogs accumulated four points – a point higher than La Salle Viridis Arcus, which finished in third place after recording three draws during the group stage.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In Group B, UST – featuring Arjohn Roxas, Wayne Valentino, Benjamin Lukban, Rammuell Belga, Angel Saliuan, and Jose Odfina – completed an undefeated run by closing out their group stage campaign with a 2-0 sweep of University of the Philippines.
For Teletigers Esports Club head coach Theo “Uomi” Ignacio, securing the top seed was an unexpected but welcome outcome.
“I don’t think we expected the undefeated run, honestly. We trained for it but we never expect things naman to go our way. In fact, we always expect things to go against us considering the nature of this tournament. But we entered with the mindset na we prepared the best that we could. And whatever happens, we’re prepared for it,” Ignacio said of their undefeated streak.
“We will enter the playoffs thinking that we are the underdogs, that we have to train extra hard to beat the rest of the teams in this tournament,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UE, led by John Zel Bartolo, Arohn Cabigting, John Lawrence Chavez, Ariel Dolar, Ryan-Ver Federizo, and Elijah Vilaray, also secured a spot in the playoffs.
The Zenith Esports accomplished this by defeating the Adamson University Falcons, 2-0, and finishing the group stage with a 1-1 split against the Fighting Maroons.
The UAAP Esports ML:BB playoffs will be broadcast on One Sports’ YouTube channel, Pilipinas Live, the Varsity Channel, and One Sports.
