SENTOSA, Singapore – SIBOL’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team punched its ticket to the 2026 Asian Games main stage after sweeping its Day 3 assignments, capped by a crucial victory over regional powerhouse Indonesia on Saturday at the Resorts World Sentosa Convention Centre here.
The triumph completed a perfect day for the Filipinos, who earlier dispatched Myanmar and Vietnam to improve to 5-1 and formally secure one of Southeast Asia’s coveted berths to the continental meet in Nagoya later this year.
Head coach Allec Alvarado said the team’s quick adaptation to the new patch played a key role in its successful campaign, which culminated in qualification to the Asian Games after the sweep of Indonesia.
“Feeling malaking bagay sa amin na hindi pa rin sanay ang mga teams sa meta ngayon dahil sa bagong update. Masaya ako na nakakasok kami sa Asian Games at nasweep namin yung Indonesia,” he said.
The Karl Nepomuceno-led squad opened Day 3 of the group stage with a convincing Game 1 victory, taking full control after Dave Viana Jr. (Karrie) unleashed a triple kill in the 14th minute to headline a decisive 5-for-2 wipeout that swung momentum firmly in the Philippines’ favor for the rest of the game.
Game 2 was a lopsided affair for the Filipinos, as they built a commanding 11,100 gold lead before sealing a 17-minute win behind Jaypee Dela Cruz’s flawless 1-0-14 KDA.
SIBOL were briefly pushed to the limit after Vietnam leveled the series at 1-1, following a dominant performance in Game 2.
With their backs against the wall, the Philippine representatives leaned on Cruz’s Mathilda in the decider, where he delivered a 1-0-17 KDA to spark a 20-4 kill advantage and clinch SIBOL’s second victory of the day.
SIBOL carried that momentum into their match against Indonesia, where they set the tone early in Game 1.
Alston Pabico’s double kill on Pharsa during the seventh-minute Turtle fight helped establish a 6,500 gold lead that they never relinquished.
With qualification secured, SIBOL can now shift its focus to fine-tuning preparations for the Asian Games, where the Philippines will aim to add another international medal to its Mobile Legends: Bang Bang legacy.
