University of Santo Tomas ML:BB team captain Arjohn Roxas remains positive that they can sustain the success they’ve achieved in the collegiate scene over the past year as he leads the Teletigers in the upcoming UAAP Esports Tournament.
The Teletigers have been on a tear lately, emerging as champions in the Alliance Games Metro West last January.
There, they bested fellow UAAP teams Adamson University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, National University, and University of the East.
UST once again claimed the championship in the Smart University Clash last June before finishing as the top UAAP team in the Alliance Games Nationals.
They eventually settled for third runner-up ahead of fellow UAAP teams Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines.
This is where Roxas’ confidence comes from as they aim to make history as the champions in the inaugural esports spectacle of the UAAP.
“Siguro kami yung pinaka-experienced na pagdating sa collegiate tournaments sa buong UAAP, so gusto naming mag-champion sa first season ng UAAP para malagay na talaga yung pangalan namin sa history books,” said Roxas.
As one of the contenders, Roxas believes the pressure isn’t on them but on their rivals in the league, thanks to UST’s multiple winning performances this year.
“Para sa’kin, wala namang pressure. Kailangan lang talaga namin i-perform yung normal na laro namin. Yung pressure is nasa kalaban namin siguro para malamangan kami,” added Roxas.
“Sana lang mas ma-exceed pa namin yung mga previous tournaments namin na placements. Sana makapag-champion ulit kami.”
Roxas can’t help but be grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, giving the spotlight to esports, which has been slowly growing in the Philippines over the past decade.
“Sobrang laking impact ng pagkakaroon ng ML:BB sa UAAP kasi nung dati parang di kami gaanong napapansin sa UST or sa ibang UAAP schools kasi parang niche pa lang siya. Ngayon mas napapansin na siya. Siguro mas nare-recognize na rin kaming mga players kung paano kami nagpapractice na parang traditional sport din kasi ganun din naman yung practice at pagpeprepare namin,” expressed the UST ML:BB skipper.
“Nabibigyan na rin kami ng chance na mapakita na hindi lang nasa MPL or MDL yung malalakas. Nasa collegiate scene din yung iba.”
The UAAP Esports Tournament will open on Tuesday, August 13, at Areté, Ateneo de Manila University, featuring NBA2K24 and Valorant tournaments.
The MLBB event will begin on Saturday, August 17. The games will be broadcast on One Sports’ YouTube channel, Pilipinas Live, the Varsity Channel, and One Sports.
