By Sheendy Olivares and Princess Lacorte/AdDU Interns
THE BEST of Davao City’s online game players competed for a chance to represent Davao City in the E-Palarong Pambansa Qualifiers in Mindanao in June.
Over 200 participants and at least 20 teams signed up for the competition at La Herencia Pavilion and ZeusX E-Sports and Cafe on May 28. The age requirement for qualified participants ranged from 16 to 30 years old.
E-sports coordinator Krizzy Daugdaug said the event is open to all genders and people of different professions. Mixed-gender teams also registered to participate.
She thinks this was an excellent opportunity for e-sports enthusiasts in their 20s as the event is not exclusive to students.
“They were really encouraged to join the event kasi linyahan namo mga early 20s, ‘Wala tay ingani sa panahon nato so karon na naa na siya, let’s grab the opportunity’, (They were really encouraged to join the event because we can finally say ‘We didn’t have this during our time so now that it’s here, let’s grab the opportunity)’” Daugdaug said.
Players battled it out with other teams in their chosen games. Only five e-sports games were included in the roster: Mobile Legends with 19 registered teams, 5 in Call of Duty Mobile, 8-9 in Valorant, and two in both League of Legends and Wild Rift.
Only ten players per game will be selected for the qualifiers, meaning a total of 50 players will be sent to compete against players from other regions to represent Mindanao in the group stage to be held in July.
“Hopefully, naay makalusot sa atoa na players na taga-Davao who will represent Mindanao as well (Hopefully, there will be players from Davao who will represent Mindanao as well),” Daugdaug stated.
Mindanao’s representatives will play against representatives from Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas. The winners who will emerge victorious from the group stages will compete in the playoffs held in Iloilo in August.
Many E-sports enthusiasts gathered to support this event as it aims to transform and create a vibrant ecosystem for Mindanao’s E-sports industry.
Throughout the event, Daugdaug reminded participants to uphold and promote responsible gaming.
