10 Filipino athletes who will rule esports in 2022

The 12 months 2021 has been a monumental just one for the Filipino esports scene. From globe championships and area on the internet tournaments, esports proved it can thrive amid a pandemic.

But the fight for pride and glory is just about to get additional intense as both the 19th Asian Online games and the 31st Southeast Asian Online games will function esports competitions. These tournaments will begin in September and November 2022, respectively. 

As we are about to enter a further chapter in the field, in this article are 10 Filipino esports athletes to observe out for in the coming calendar year: 

 

1. KarlTzy (Cell Legends) 

Bren Esports’ dreadful performance in MPL-PH Time 8 does not precisely reflect what Karl Gabriel “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno is able of. Arguably, KarlTzy is even now the finest participant in MPL-PH in conditions of mechanical skills—or if not, then probably second to Kairi of Onic Philippines. 

Just after some gamers expressed their lack of travel in competing through their put up-M2 Earth Championship slump, it is evident that Bren Esports’ players will need a contemporary environment. Last December 21, Echo officially disclosed that KarlTzy would be boosting their MPL-PH Time 9 campaign. 

KarlTzy will be bringing his extensive vary of experience as a SEA Games gold medalist, MPL-PH champion, and M2 Earth Championship MVP to Echo’s star-studded roster.  With a new set of veterans to guide him, the only dilemma remaining is: will the fellas have fantastic chemistry? If certainly, then we could see KarlTzy at the best when all over again. 

 

2. DubsteP (Valorant)  

At an age in which most esports gamers retire, Jayvee “DubsteP” Paguirigan noticed himself representing the Philippines in the grandest stage of Valorant. Final December 1 to 8, the 29-year outdated DubsteP, along with his squad, Workforce Magic formula, competed in the Valorant Champions Tour 2021 in Berlin, Germany.

Regardless of remaining regarded as the most important underdog in the event, Staff Key completed 5th – 8th position and acquired the respect of its peers, proving that Filipinos can keep rate with the greatest teams in the Initially-man or woman shooter (FPS) scene. 

DubsteP wrapped up the competitiveness at the top rated 8 of the Normal Combat Rating leaderboards with 237.7. The promising duelist also dropped 45 frags on their Playoff-clinching collection from Group Vikings.  

As Riot plans to begin VCT 2022 in February, it will be exciting to see how DubsteP and the relaxation of Crew Magic formula will continue their journey. 

 

3. Karl (DOTA 2)  

Karl “Karl” Matthew Baldovino was 1 of the very first little one miracles of the Filipino esports scene. At 13, Karl became a skilled participant of the authentic Defense of the Ancients mod for Warcraft III under the moniker “Santino.”  

Karl, nonetheless, struggled with his transition to DOTA 2. He moved by many corporations but was hardly ever in a position to replicate his good results in the first game.

The boy started out to redeem himself following he was acquired by the South Korea-primarily based squad T1 very last yr. A few months later, he was reunited with former Filipino teammate Carlo “Kuku” Palad in the similar organization. T1 competed towards the best of the very best in The Global 10 past Oct 7 to 17 and finished 7th-8th out of 18 teams. 

Karl may well have taken a decade to phase onto the greatest stage for DOTA, but it is also simple he is just about to enter the primary several years of his occupation.

 

4. Demonkite (Cellular Legends) 

Jonard “Demonkite” Caranto stunned the expert league on his arrival. As a former Jungler for JNA Esports, Demonkite was really-touted in novice tournaments in advance of he was recruited by RSG Philippines. 

The 18-12 months outdated Demonkite tallied the highest full kills and KDA for 3 consecutive months in the course of the MPL-PH Time 8 Normal Time. He averaged 4.16 kills and 5.14 KDA per recreation and was ultimately hailed as the Rookie of the Season. 

Demonkite was also able to showcase his capabilities on the global stage as RSG PH concluded eighth in the MPL Invitational 2021. How he took no time to alter from novice competitions to the professional scene was extraordinary. And with veteran mentor Coach Panda at his facet, the sky is the restrict for Demonkite. 

 

5. Skerd (Simply call of Obligation Cell)

Blacklist International.Top broke the code in the Contact of Responsibility Mobile Earth Championship 2021 – East Finals past December 11 to 12 and Averson “Skerd” Salaya was hailed as the Most Worthwhile Participant for his stellar general performance. 

Practically two weeks after their globe title stint, Skerd led the Tier One Entertainment-backed squad in the PH Invitational 2021, exactly where they surprised neighborhood powerhouses Omega Esports, Por Esports, and Fantasma. 

Nonetheless, profitable two championships in a thirty day period wasn’t that simple. Skerd and the relaxation of the Blacklist International.Ultimate had been pressured to play with only 60fps for the duration of the CODM World Championship as the formal match smartphones which support 120fps did not arrive on time. 

If Blacklist Intercontinental.Supreme has already conquered the entire world phase on a limited graphics environment, what more can they attain as soon as the ideal peripherals are on their fingers? 

 

6. Xavi8k (Valorant) 

Xavier “Xavi8K” Juan was a collegiate Valorant superstar who leaped to the skilled scene. He was the duelist of De La Salle University’s Viridis Arcus that dominated the University Alliance Cup Valorant for 3 consecutive seasons. 

His dominant general performance in the greatest neighborhood intercollegiate league caught the focus of qualified groups. Final Oct, Bren Esports announced that they had acquired the solutions of Xavi8K. But prior to his recruitment by Bren, Xavi8K now experienced the option to perform in the professional division below Sunsparks for the Valorant Champions Tour Playoffs. 

Even with his remarkable purpose, Xavi8K still wants more tournament expertise to direct Bren Esports again to the place it was right before its previous roster moved to Crew Mystery. 

 

7. Woopiiee (Contact of Obligation Mobile) 

Jerrold “Woopiiee” Regay was at the time considered the finest or a single of the finest snipers in the Philippines. Woopiiee and his former corporation, NRX Jeremiah 29:11 were between the to start with area esports teams to contend professionally in Simply call of Obligation Cellular.

CODM- Philippines Championship 2020, CODM Entire world Championship 2020 – Garena, and CODM Entire world Championship 2020 – International Finals are just some of the prestigious tournaments exactly where NRX Jeremiah 29:11 exhibited their mastery.

Sad to say, just after Omega Esports absorbed the NRX Jeremiah 29:11 roster, other groups slowly but surely caught up to them. The only modern achievement the squad bagged was a runner-up finish in the PH Invitational 2021. But at the conclusion of the working day, Woopiiee and Omega Esports will always be a squad to look at out for simply because, just like their MLBB counterpart, they are the public’s favorite. 

 

8. WaningMoon (Hearthstone) 

Dustin “WaningMoon” Mangulabnan is a extensive-time pro Hearthstone participant and has already represented the Philippines in different competitions considering the fact that 2014. Unfortunately, WaningMoon and his teammate Jacinta “Jia” Dee arrived up limited in the 2019 Southeast Asian Video games. 

This calendar year, WaningMoon continued to shoot the will work in Tier 1 tournaments and qualifiers. He emerged victorious in the Masters Qualifiers: Ironforge #90 and Masters Qualifiers: Silvermoon #100. 

As esports prepares to make its debut at the Asian Game titles 2022, it would be enjoyable to see WaningMoon bounce back again and provide dwelling the country’s initially gold medal in Hearthstone. 

 

9.  Tatsurii (League of Legends: Wild Rift) 

Right after Team Secret introduced its League of Legends Wild Rift roster very last February, the all-Filipino squad steamrolled in the area tournaments. Immediately after 8 months, Group Magic formula finished a Cinderella operate in the Wid Rift SEA Championship to qualify for the Horizon Cup 2021, the 1st-ever intercontinental championship in League of Legends Wild Rift. 

In the earth championship held very last November 13 to 21, mid-laner Heri “Tatsurii” Garcia had his moment in the limelight. His Zed delivered 11 kills in Game 2 of their Semifinals collection versus the eventual earth champions Da Kun Gaming. With a lot less than a 12 months of enjoying jointly, Team Solution capped off their Horizon Cup 2021 marketing campaign with a 3rd-4th put complete.  

Now that the Philippine Countrywide Esports Staff Sibol has announced they are on the lookout for players to compete in the League of Legends: Wild Rift: Men’s Division of the 31st SEA Online games, Tatsurii and the rest of Group Mystery are certainly truly worth considering. 

 

10. Vigor (PUBG Mobile) 

Out of the 256 teams that competed in the Mineski Masters PUBG Cell tournament, it was UTG Intercontinental Pro that arrived out on major and John Vincent “Vigor” Almodal that claimed the MVP plum. 

The 21-12 months old Vigor and the UTG International Professional also bagged the title in the PUBG Mobile Club Open up – Tumble Split 2021: Philippines final August 21 to September 5. 

As PUBG Cellular officially helps make the record at the 31st Southeast Asian Online games which will be held on May well 2022, Vigor is a person to enjoy out for. 

Aside from the names mentioned over, there are nonetheless lots of promising regional esports athletes and video games we should really also pay focus to. As Filipino talents go on to be a revelation on the international stage, a single point is for certain: thrilling situations await for the Philippine esports scene.