SIBOL ensured that its Mobile Legends: Bang Bang contingent bound for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan will have the right guidance and experience, strengthening its campaign with the addition of three high-caliber coaches to lead its medal bid.
On Saturday night, the national team announced it had tapped three champion Mobile Legends: Bang Bang coaches — Francis “Duckey” Glindro of Team Falcons, Michael “Arcadia” Bocado of the Selangor Red Giants, and Denver “Yeb” Miranda of ONIC Esports — to form the ML:BB coaching staff for the Games.
SIBOL general manager Leo “Jab” Escutin said the inclusion of Mobile Legends in the Asian Games roster gives the Philippines a strong shot at gold. He added that bringing in the three champion coaches will be key to helping the team achieve that goal.
“The inclusion of MLBB in the Asian Games presents a historic opportunity for the Philippines to secure a gold medal,” Escutin told Tiebreaker Times in an exclusive interview.
Escutin explained that all three coaches will oversee the formation and preparation of SIBOL’s ML:BB squad, offering their combined expertise and championship experience to guide the team toward peak performance.
“With our support coaches, we are ensuring our athletes and head coach are equipped with the specialized expertise and experience necessary for this historic competition,” Escutin said.
“Our support coaches will be onsite for both the regional qualifiers and the Asian Games, providing the strategic depth and experience essential to securing our victory,” he added.
Each coach brings elite credentials, boasting championship experience in top-tier competitions — experience that will prove invaluable as SIBOL aims for gold in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang at the Asian Games.
Together, the trio boasts an impressive résumé: 2 MPL PH titles, 4 MPL ID titles, 4 MPL MY titles, 2 MSC crowns, and 1 M-Series championship, highlighting the wealth of experience they bring to SIBOL’s campaign.
“Part ito ng extra effort ng Team SIBOL to push and develop a winning strategy as we move forward to the Asian Games,” SIBOL Executive Director Marlon “Lon” Marcelo told Tiebreaker Times in a separate interview.
Marcelo added that, beyond strengthening the team with top-caliber coaches, bringing them on board also prevents rival national squads from enlisting their expertise, giving SIBOL a strategic edge heading into the Games.
“If you think about it, ‘yung ibang countries, ang titignan nila i-hire ay ‘yung mga Pinoy coaches din. So in a way, strategic advantage din ito for the team.”
