The Philippines is bringing a championship-caliber lineup into the international stage as SIBOL’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) representatives begin their journey toward the 2026 Asian Games.
The national team is set to compete in the 2026 Esports Asian Games Qualifiers, which will take place at Sentosa, Singapore from June 18 to 21, with a coveted slot in the main tournament at stake.
SIBOL has assembled a roster filled with proven champions and international veterans, creating a lineup that blends experience and familiarity with high-pressure competition.
Leading the squad are players from MPL Philippines Season 17 three-time defending champions Team Liquid Philippines, including Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, Sanford Vinuya, Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz, Alston “Sanji” Pabico, and Dave “Teddy” Viana.
KarlTzy returns to the international stage after previous appearances representing the country in the 30th Southeast Asian Games and the 33rd SEA Games Men’s Tournament, where the Philippines secured gold medals in MLBB.
Sanford, Jaypee, and Sanji also bring SEA Games experience to the national team, having been part of the country’s championship campaigns. Teddy, meanwhile, enters his first-ever Asian Games campaign as a Philippine representative.
Adding more firepower to the roster is Filipino standout Duane “Kelra” Pillas of ONIC Indonesia. The MPL Indonesia Regular Season MVP earns his first call-up to represent the Philippines, giving SIBOL another elite-level player capable of making an impact on the biggest stage.
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SIBOL TAKES FLIGHT
The SIBOL MLBB Team is bound for Singapore as they begin their Asian Games Qualifiers journey, aiming for a spot in Aichi-Nagoya 2026. | via JB Junio
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— PTV Sports Network (@ptvphsports) June 16, 2026
Guiding the team is Allec Monsseur Alvarado, who takes charge as SIBOL’s MLBB Asian Games head coach for the first time. He will be supported by a coaching staff composed of Team Falcons PH coach Francis John Duckey Glindro, Selangor Red Giants coach Michael Angelo Bocado, and ONIC PH coach Paul Denver “Yeb” Miranda.
Team Liquid PH analyst Kim “Dai Ki” Sebanes also joins the national delegation, marking the organization’s first-ever Asian Games selection for MLBB.
A total of 22 national teams have entered the Asian Games Qualifiers and have been divided into four regional groups. Southeast Asia features Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines, while West Asia includes Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.
Central Asia will be represented by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, while South and East Asia consists of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Mongolia, and Pakistan.
The qualifiers will determine the 12 teams that will advance to the MLBB event at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from August 29 to October 1, 2026.
Teams will compete in a single round-robin format, with every match played as a best-of-three series. Standings will be determined through total points earned in the group stage, with qualification slots awarded based on tournament rules. The third-placed teams from Group B and Group D will battle in a decider match for the final place in the Asian Games main stage.
SIBOL will open its Group A campaign against regional rival Malaysia on June 18, 2026, as the squad looks to take the first step toward bringing home another international medal for the country.
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