DOTA 2

Here Are The Filipino Teams to Cheer for in The 2023 IESF World Esports Championships

By Ramon Domingo - August 22, 2023
We’ve got heavy hitters representing four of the six games in the 15th iteration of the WEC.

It’s going to be an action-packed week as the 2023 IESF World Esports Championships kicks off on August 26. Six main games have attracted the best teams from all over the world to see who can call themselves an IESF world esports champion.

The Philippines are no slouches in the international esports scene and we’ve sent some of our best to compete in the WEC global arena. Here are our four championship-caliber representatives, ready to fight for glory. 

Mobile Legends: AP.Bren
AP.Bren after winning the IESF Asia + Oceania Qualifiers. (Photo by IESF)

After sweeping the field in the IESF Asia + Oceania Qualifiers, AP.Bren is ready to take the WEC Mobile Legends championship. This is the same gold medalist roster that represented the Philippines during the 2023 SEA Games. With their team synergy still intact we can expect them to show that same level of dominance in the wider international stage.

All eyes will surely be on Mid Laner Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel. The two-time SEA Games gold medalist’s deep well of experience is sure to lead his team to victory.

Dota 2: Polaris Esports
Polaris Esports after winning the IESF Asian Championship. (Photo by IESF)

As the winners of the IESF Asian Championship, Polaris Esports is coming into World Esports Championships with something to prove. They narrowly missed their chance to get promoted to Division 1 in this year’s DPC SEA Tour. This also means that they also missed their chance to play in the regional qualifiers to enter The International.

With a chip on its shoulder that big, Polaris will surely be hungry for the WEC trophy. They’re looking to show the world that they can play with the best and this is their first step.

PUBG Mobile: PlayBook Esports and GameLab Alpha
Abdul “Monboy” Barode (Photo by Sibol)

Similar to our Mobile Legends representatives, the Philippine PUBG Mobile team is composed of the same players as this year’s SEA Games team. While the team had a great start during the qualifiers stage of the SEA Games, they weren’t able to maintain it heading into playoffs.

This time team Philippines will be looking to capture that momentum again and ride it to the finish line. They’ll be looking to Abdul “Monboy” Barode, bronze medalist in the SEA Games PUBG Mobile Individual category, to help clear the way for the rest of his team.

Tekken 7: Alexander “AK” Lavarez, PlayBook Esports
Alexander “AK” Lavarez (Photo by Robert Paul)

One of the oldest and deadliest Tekken players in the Philippines, AK is raring to take on international competition after being unable to attend this year’s Evo. 

AK’s a Tekken savant who’s been playing and competing since he was 13. He’s brushed shoulders with the best Tekken players in the world time and again. The WEC looks no different and he’ll need to put out all the stops to face the competition.

Banner image from IESF.


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