KarlTzy-led PH team gets highest ranking in Esports Nations Cup

The Philippines will field a star-studded Mobile Legends: Bang Bang squad in the inaugural Esports Nations Cup this November as it aims to reaffirm its status as the world's strongest nation in the title.

After both Team Liquid and Team Falcons stunningly bow out early in the Mid-Season Cup at the Esports World Cup, the Philippines now has a chance to regain its reputation in the maiden ENC edition set in Riyadh.

Incidentally, the top players from these two teams will form the Philippine national squad for the ENC, a biennial global esports tournament organized by the Esports Foundation that brings together the world's best esports players to represent their respective countries.

Team Liquid's multi-titled jungler Karl "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno spearheads the national team alongside his fellow Cavalry stars in roamer Jaypee "Jaypee" Dela Cruz and midlaner Alston "Sanji" Pabico. Meanwhile, Team Falcons' exp laner David "Flap" Canon and gold laner Marco "Super Marco" Requitiano have also been included in the roster.

Duane "Kelra" Pillas and Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol, both of whom are playing as imports for Onic Indonesia, were also listed in the Philippines' stacked ML:BB lineup.

These powerhouse names helped the country enter as the highest-ranked nation in the ENC Rankings with 12,550 points followed by rival Indonesia at second spot and Myanmar at third. The ENC ranking is the accumulation of points earned by players based on their placements in international, regional, and select, including the most recent MSC in Paris.

A total 32 teams will compete in the MLBB tournament with 16 receiving a direct invitation through the ENC Rankings. Aside from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Myanmar, also getting direct invites are Turkiye, Cambodia, Germany, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China, Mongolia, Brazil, India, US, Canada, and Malaysia.

The MLBB tournament in ENC will run in Week 4 set from November 25 to 29.

Aside from MLBB, ENC will also feature other titles like Honor of Kings, League of Legends, DOTA 2, PUBG Mobile, and Valorant, among others.

—JKC, GMA News