FILE – Team Philippines competes in the esports event of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. INQUIRER PHOTO/ JAM STA ROSA
MANILA, Philippines–Sibol’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team pulled out all the stops to turn back Vietnam, 2-0, and secured a podium finish in the lower bracket semifinal of the Southeast Asian Games’ esports event Friday night at Filoil Flying-V Arena in San Juan.
Karl Nepumuceno was aggressive right from the opening bell, helping the Filipinos fend off a feisty fightback from the visitors in Game 2.
The win thus sent the Sibol to the lower bracket final, where Malaysia awaits.
The Philippine bets are already guaranteed of bronze—the second medal for the hosts following Caviar’s Acampado’s triumph in Starcraft II earlier in the day.
Allan Castromayor also provided Sibol a much-needed boost in the contest.
The Nationals takes on the red-hot Malaysians on Sunday for the right to face Indonesia in the gold medal clash.