NCAA Philippines Kickstarts Collegiate Esports Era with MLBB Tournament
NCAA Philippines Kickstarts Collegiate Esports Era with MLBB Tournament
PASIG — A new chapter begins for collegiate sports in the Philippines as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) officially launches its first-ever Esports Kick-Off Tournament, featuring Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) as the main title.
This was after a kickoff press conference held by in partnership by the the NCAA and the Collegiate Center for Esports (CCE) Wednesday inside the Marco Polo Hotel.
All roads lead to July’s PGDX
Set to run from June 28 to July 25, the tournament will gather all 10 NCAA member schools in a bid to crown the league’s inaugural esports champion. The league will split the teams into two groups, and the competition will begin with a round robin group stage.
The top three teams from each group will qualify for the Playoffs, and NCAA will stage the event live at the Philippine Game Dev Expo (PGDX) from July 25 to 27 in a modified gauntlet double-elimination format.
“As we launch this year’s NCAA Esports Tournament, we’re not just starting a competition—we’re igniting a movement,” said Melchor Divina, NCAA Philippines Esports Committee Event Chairman. “In this era, esports is more than just a game. It’s an avenue for skill development, leadership, collaboration, and career pathways in the continuous growth of the digital space.”
A Full Esports Season Set for NCAA Season 101
This Kick-Off Tournament is only the beginning. The NCAA announced that a full esports season will be integrated into NCAA Season 101, set for December 2025. The official season will not only continue featuring Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, but also bring in VALORANT, one of the most played tactical shooters in the Philippines.
The inclusion of these esports titles marks a pivotal move for the NCAA, as the league expands beyond traditional sports and into the competitive gaming space—further legitimizing the esports career path for Filipino student-athletes.
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