Rendell Bangsal witnessed National University’s entire climb to the summit of UAAP Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
From struggling to keep pace with the league’s strongest teams during the inaugural season to falling short in the championship round a year later, the Bulldogs’ team captain endured every setback before finally completing NU’s rise with the championship in the 2026 UAAP Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Tournament.
“Noong unang season, medyo nahirapan kami. Di kami masyado nakakasabay sa ibang malalakas na team,” recalled Bangsal, who recently completed his bachelor’s degree in Information Technology with a specialization in Mobile and Web Applications.
“Nung second season, naging balanced yung lineup namin. Until now, yun pa rin yung lineup namin. Siguro nag-gain na rin kami ng experience sa mga tournaments, and sobrang laking tulong din ni Coach Shane sa amin kasi mas nag-improve yung team namin coming from the loss last season.”
Bangsal had already been representing NU in collegiate tournaments during his first year, back when esports had yet to earn a place on the UAAP calendar.
When MLBB was finally introduced, Bangsal became one of the pioneers entrusted with carrying the Bulldogs’ colors. After a surprising bronze finish in the inaugural season, their painful defeat to De La Salle University in last year’s championship round proved to be the turning point.
(C) UAAP Media Team
“Yung pagkatalo namin sa La Salle last year, doon talaga nagsimula yung gigil namin sa paglalaro,” Bangsal said. “Sa lahat ng tournaments, tuloy-tuloy lang yung practice namin. Hindi kami humihinto until now. Mas doble yung sipag namin ngayon kasi mas gigil kami na makabawi.”
Bangsal helped sustain that hunger as team captain, although leadership did not always come naturally to him.
“Actually, nagda-doubt po ako sa sarili kung nagagawa ko ba talaga yung role ko as captain. Sinasabihan nga rin ako ni Coach Dhap [Palacio]. Hindi ko kasi kayang magalit sa teammates ko. Tingin ko rin kasi pantay-pantay lang kami,” he shared.
“Sana nagampanan ko yung role ko as captain ngayong championship run namin.”
Now an alumnus of his beloved school, Bangsal leaves NU having completed both his academic and esports missions. For him, the championship was also a way of repaying a university that supported not only his playing career but also his education and family.
“Sobrang laking tulong din kasi sa akin ng school. Ang laki ng naitulong niya sa akin — mula sa scholarship, sa dorm, pati sa pagkain. Nakakatulong sila sa parents ko. Sana nabalik ko nang maayos sa NU yung ibinigay nila sa akin.”
Bangsal’s place in Bulldogs history is secure as one of the pioneers who endured NU’s early struggles and helped complete its climb to the championship, all while exemplifying the ideal student-athlete who earned his degree without losing his competitive edge.
