To say ‘Good Game, Well Played’ for the Philippines in the esports world this 2024 would be a massive understatement.
Winning is a habit.
From sustained success in the local and international esports scene to launching groundbreaking tournaments, the accolades kept piling for the Philippines this 2024, marking another monumental and trailblazing year for local gamers.
As 2024 comes to a close, let’s look back on the best “Kaka-Cellphone/Computer Mo 'Yan” moments of the past 12 months.
Super Year for the Super Family
2024 was indeed the year of the Super Family.
Fnatic ONIC PH saved their best for last after capturing two titles in the last three months, punctuating one of their most dominant runs in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) history.
[ALSO READ: In Photos: Fnatic ONIC finally crowned as MPL Philippines champions]
First, FNOP finally seized the MPL-Philippines Season 14 crown after taking down Aurora Gaming in a thrilling Grand Finals last October.
[ALSO READ: Kelra, Fnatic ONIC snag elusive MPL PH crown in cardiac win over Aurora Gaming]
Behind season MVP King “K1NGKONG” Perez and the Gold Standard himself in Duane "Kelra" Pillas, ONIC Philippines claimed their first ever MPL-PH crown.
However, that was not quite enough for the Super Family.
Fnatic ONIC PH then extended the country’s dominance in the M-Series tournament, becoming the fifth-straight Philippine team to rule the event after winning the M6 World Championships, capped by a masterful victory over Team Liquid ID in the title round.
Kelra won the Finals MVP award, becoming the first-ever player to win all Finals MVPs in three major MLBB tournaments in MPL-PH, Mobile Legends: Southeast Asia Cup (MSC), and the M-Series.
[ALSO READ: Fnatic ONIC Philipines win M6 World Championship in convincing fashion]
Other notable moments for the local professional esports scene include Team Liquid ECHO’s reigning supreme in the MPL-PH Season 13 earlier this year, and M5 World Champions Falcons AP.Bren finishing second behind Malaysia's Selangor Red Giants in the Mobile Legends Mid-Season Cup.
[ALSO READ: MPL-PH: Team Liquid ECHO win Season 13 with Grand Finals sweep of Falcons AP.Bren]
UAAP 🤝 Esports
It finally happened.
For the first time ever, UAAP Season 87 marked the beginning of a new era in collegiate sports with the launching the inaugural esports tournament featuring NBA 2K, Valorant, and MLBB as the first games contested.
UE Zenith Esports ruled the MLBB tournament, while DLSU’s Viridis Arcus took home the Valorant title.
To cap it all off, Ateneo’s Paolo Medina was crowned king of the NBA 2K, setting the stage for what should be a marquee UAAP event moving forward.
[ALSO READ: Game, start: Key takeaways from UAAP's first-ever Esports tournaments]
Got That Dub Going Global
Not to be outdone are some monumental victories for Team Philippines in various international esports tournaments.
Team Secret dominated the FAV Gaming in the Asia Pacific Predator League Valorant event, while Blacklist.Rivalry reigned supreme in the DOTA 2 edition of the same tournament.
[ALSO READ: Team Secret lifts first-ever Valorant title at home with Asia Pacific Predator League win]
Meanwhile, the SIBOL MLBB women's squad captured the silver medal in the inaugural Asian Esports Games (AEG), proving that local games on the distaff side they can also go toe-to-toe among Asia's best.
[ALSO READ: SIBOL Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s team takes silver in 2024 Asian Esports Games]
eGilas Pilipinas likewise competed in the eFIBA Season 3 World Finals, placing fourth for the second straight time in the tournament after losing to Portugal in the bronze medal match.
As the year 2024 comes to close, we can only hope for a better and more successful 2025 for the Philippine esports scene.