Former PBA and national team coach Chot Reyes believes esports will be “giving a lot more people the opportunity to wear the Philippine flag on their chests.”
“And I think that is one of the most powerful motivator,” added Reyes, who now heads Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) esports, a group that hopes to put gaming in the heart of campuses through responsible competitions.
After being calendared in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, esports received a much-needed shot in the arm in terms of mainstream acceptance, something that PCCL esports and gaming giant Mineski hope to build on with intercollegiate leagues.
With esports starting to break free from its stigma, Reyes believes it is ripe to tap into grassroots development and give more people a chance to represent the country in international meets.
“You don’t need to be particularly athletic,” Reyes added.
For starters, at the grassroots, students can represent their schools outside of traditional sports.
“The students must have an option,” said PCCL chair Rey Gamboa. “And for several years [student gamers] have been set aside. They had no opportunity. But now there is.”