The UE Zenith Esports reigned supreme in the first-ever UAAP MLBB Tournament.
In the first-ever UAAP Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Tournament, the University of the East reigned supreme after downing the University of Santo Tomas, 2-0, in the finals on Wednesday, August 21, at Hyundai Hall, Arete Ateneo, in Quezon City.
The UE Zenith Esports are composed of John Zel Bartolo, Arohn Cabigting, John Lawrence Chavez, Ariel Dolar, Ryan-Ver Federizo, and Elijah Vilaray.
Chavez was hailed the Finals MVP for his steady support/mage play, using Faramis in Game 1 and Lylia in Game 2 en route to the title.
“Napanaginipan ko na po ito kagabi eh. Parang panalo kami bukas, so it happened,” Chavez said during the post-finals interview.
Both games saw UE and UST neck-and-neck throughout the match, but crucial team battles went in the way of Zenith Esports as they claimed the coveted gold medal finish.
UE advanced to the playoffs as the second seed in Group B, narrowly making it to the knockout stage before eliminating Far Eastern University in the semifinals.
The UST Teletigers Esports Club, featuring Arjohn Roxas, Wayne Valentino, Benjamin Lukban, Rammuell Belga, Angel Saliuan, and Jose Odfina, came close to going undefeated in the tournament but ultimately fell short in the finals.
Meanwhile, the FEU Tamaraws Esports and the NU Bulldogs ended their UAAP Esports Tournament MLBB run with a third-place finish.