The University of the East Mobile Legends: Bang Bang for UAAP Season 87, May 13, 2025 at the Quantum Skyview Deck of Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City. UAAP Media
MANILA -- Defending champion University of the East kicked off its title defense with authority, sweeping the University of the Philippines, 2-0, for a resounding debut in the UAAP Season 87 Esports Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Tournament, Tuesday at the Quantum Skyview Deck of Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City.
With the victory, UE leads Group B with three points, while National University follows with two points after outlasting the highly-touted De La Salle University.
Despite playing without a coach, UE leaned heavily on teamwork and trust—particularly during the drafting phase, where UP surprised them with a last-pick Yi Sun Shin.
"Sa draft kasi kaya 'di kami nahihirapan kasi nagtutulungan lahat. Tapos kung ano yung gusto ng bawat isa na magandang mapu-pull off, yun yung ginagamit namin," said team captain John Zel Bartolo, explaining how the Zenith Esports are able to manage and win games despite lacking a head coach.
"Teamwork lang talaga. Yung pagkakaisa ng buong team. Yung commitment sa mga gusto at dapat gawin sa game namin.”
Reigning MVP John Lawrence Chavez put on a flawless performance in the series opener, tallying two kills and 14 assists with zero deaths to lead UE to a dominant Game 1 win.
In Game 2, the Red Warriors orchestrated a stunning comeback, erasing a 9k gold deficit at the 17-minute mark. Elijah Villaray (Harith) ignited the rally with a double kill during a base turret defense in the 18th minute, sparking a 3-0 punish.
Riding that momentum, UE stormed through the midlane and forced a base turret siege, sealing the comeback and the sweep for the Recto-based squad.
National University also secured an opening day win, staging a reverse sweep against La Salle, 2-1.
The Green Aces, led by former MPL Philippines pros Aaron Lim and Joshua Tating, took Game 1, but the Bulldogs bounced back.
Kirk Herrero (Granger) powered the Bulldogs in Game 2, delivering a clean 10-0-4 KDA performance to force a decider.
In Game 3, Johann Estacio showed off his mechanical prowess with a dazzling performance on Fanny, steering NU to a commanding win and the series comeback.
UE and NU are set to battle for the Group B lead in their clash scheduled for tomorrow.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas, led by Ramuell Belga, outclassed last season’s bronze medalist Far Eastern University in a 2-0 sweep to also earn three points and an early share of the Group A lead.
The Teletigers survived a savage killing spree from Tamaraw Kevin Reyes late in Game 1 but held on to secure the win, then asserted their dominance in a one-sided Game 2 to complete the sweep.
Belga (Kalea) registered an impressive 2-1-9 KDA in the Game 2 clincher.
"Honestly, it's good for the morale (to win against FEU), yung naka 2-0 nga kami. It just means na yung pinagtrabahuan namin is effective and it's working for us," said head coach Hemogenes Arayata IV as UST topped the battle of last season’s silver and bronze medalists.
Adamson University also opened its campaign strong, sweeping Ateneo de Manila University, 2-0, to tie UST atop Group A.
Kenneth Aliligay and Louies Romasanta took turns stepping up for the Falcons, each earning MVP honors in the two-game sweep.
The Soaring Falcons look to sustain their momentum against the Tamaraws Esports in tomorrow’s matchup, while the Teletigers will take on the Blue Eagles.