Smart, PLDT sponsor PHL team to largest online gaming tourney in SEA

Team Mineski.Sports5 will be representing the Philippines in the biggest eSports tourney in Southeast Asia, ESL One Manila 2016. Online gamers from across the world will gather at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on April 23 and 24 for Southeast Asia's first ever premier DOTA 2 tournament.

The Philippine team is sponsored by PLDT Home Fibr and Smart, with both companies hoping to increase the visibility of the country in the eSports world. 

“We are very thrilled to help bring a world class gaming event in our country and put us on the map of the booming international esports scene," said Ariel Fermin, PLDT and Smart's EVP of Consumer Business. "This is a milestone in PLDT Home Fibr and Smart’s pioneering efforts when it comes to ‘changing the game’ for Filipino gamers and fueling their passions with meaningful innovations and awesome experiences—both at home and mobile through the powerful convergence of our services.”

 “ESL One Manila 2016 also builds on our thrust to elevate online gaming to a form of a sport," Fermin added. "[It's] where the values of team work and discipline, coupled with strategy and mental agility, are showcased. We are rooting for our Philippine representative to prove that Filipinos have what it takes to excel in competitive online gaming in the international arena.” 

Fermin was of course, speaking of Team Mineski.Sports5, which is composed of veteran players Ryan Jay Qui, Jun Kanehara, Benhur Lawis, Jessie Vash Cuyco and Julius Caesar Sto. Domingo.

The team's determination saw them emerge at the top of the multi-legged nationwide qualifiers held among players in Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, and Manila.

At the ESL One, they'll be competing with seven other teams from Asia, Europe and the United States for a stake at a massive $250,000 prize pool. 

ESL One Manila 2016 is spearheaded by Germany-based Turtle Entertainment—one of the world's biggest esports organizers. The partnership with PLDT Home Fibr and Smart continues their commitment to empowering Filipino gamers through innovative products and services that serve the esports community.

Powering up experiences

The ESL One Manila centers around DOTA 2, a multiplayer online battle arena game, or 'MOBA', in which two teams compete to destroy each other's stronghold while defending their own. The game demands real-time tactical savvy and great player coordination for teams to excel. DOTA 2 has become a compelling spectator sport in its own right, with not just millions of professional and casual players but viewers as well.

PLDT intends to support the Filipino gaming scene with PLDT Home Fibr, providing powerful broadband and symmetrical download and upload speeds. Subscribers are also able to charge their Steam wallet to their bill, making new game purchases super easy. 

Smart is also putting up its biggest mobile data plan yet, Big Bytes 50, for heavy streamers and mobile gaming enthusiasts. The 3-day P50 plan offers 700MB for gaming and surfing and 600MB for streaming on YouTube, YouTube Gaming and iflix.

Subscribers of both Smart and PLDT Home Fibr will enjoy first dibs on some exclusive perks such as a chance to score tickets to the ESL One Manila, meet and greet their favorite Esports teams, as well as take home exciting prizes from raffle and games and a chance to win Steam vouchers.

PLDT Home Fibr and Smart will also be setting up their presence at the event with showcases of how their services can enhance a subscribers' experiences with games and entertainment. 

Developing an eSports tradition

ESL One Manila 2016 is not the gaming community's first show of support from PLDT and Smart. 

Just last October, both companies backed the Esports and Gaming Summit, the country’s biggest showcase of games and publishers. Last September, they also staged the much celebrated Asia Pop Comic Con Manila, the first ever international comics convention in the country.

Smart also mounted the Philippine Clash, the country’s biggest and most prestigious nationwide Clash of Clans tournament last September, and helped put together Rampage 2015, the national finals for League of Legends, in August.

Since 2013, both PLDT Home Fibr and Smart have also been mounting grassroots and pocket tournaments for hit online games all around the country.

For more information on the exciting activities at ESL One Manila 2016, visit esl-one.com/dota2/manila-2016 and follow PLDT Home and Smart’s official accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. — AT, GMA News