Sibol, the Philippines' national esports contingent during the ceremonial send-off for athletes, September 10, 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Photo by Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — For Sibol, preparing for the Asian Games does not always mean preparing in-game.
As six esports teams gear up for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, the national esports contingent is taking on a role that extends beyond training and strategy, making sure its athletes have everything they need to compete on the international stage.
“Basically mga professional teams na 'yan… they already have their own way of basically preparing for the Asian Games,” Sibol general manager Jab Escutin said. “Yung organization namin is more of a support staff.”
While the players and their respective professional organizations handle the actual in-game preparation from scrimmages and strategy sessions to studying opponents, Sibol focuses on the logistical demands that come with representing the country.
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“We make the way for [the] players, athletes to compete in international events… para doon lang ang focus ng each athlete is actually the competition itself,” Escutin said.
That support includes the requirements surrounding an international competition, from visas, flights, IDs, badges, schedules and access to the athlete village and competition premises.
The professional teams, meanwhile, remain responsible for their own training and strategies.
“They have to prepare separately, because each title is very distinct eh. So meaning, your practice for MLBB might not be suitable for a game like let's say for Puyo Puyo, because it's a very different game. So they prepare differently,” he said.
Sibol provides additional support when teams need it and when resources allow, as Escutin cited the possibility of boot camps, including preparations designed to help athletes acclimatize before competition.
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However, preparing for the Asian Games also means dealing with requirements that differ from ordinary professional esports tournaments.
Escutin added that the difference is on the federation level due to the additional paperwork, security clearances and documentation required when athletes compete as representatives of the country.
Unlike commercial esports tournaments organized by the game publishers and brands, the Asian Games carry the responsibilities of a national delegation.
For Sibol, however, preparation is not limited to what happens before the teams leave for Japan. It also involves deciding where its resources should be spent.
“Kasi hindi naman unlimited ang budget,” Escutin said. “So you want to put your resources into [games with] higher success rates.”
Escutin described the approach as an “investment strategy,” with Sibol choosing to concentrate its resources on titles it believes have stronger chances of succeeding.
“Either you send for all of the 12, and then you don't provide ample resources for all of the teams; or you, because of the available resources, you get to choose kung ano 'yung games na para that have a high chance of success,” he said.
“If we are sending games just so we can send games, it's money not well spent,” he added.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said during the delegation’s send-off that the Philippines could surpass its previous Asian Games gold-medal totals, setting an ambition of eight gold medals across combat and non-combat sports.
Esports, he said, could be part of that haul.
“Hindi magpapatalo ang esports—Mobile Legends, Pokémon, what's that, Puyo Puyo, 'di ba? Marami 'yan,” Tolentino said.
The confidence surrounding Sibol is backed by its recent record.
The Philippines has collected eight gold, five silver and four bronze medals across its SEA Games campaigns, while the MLBB squad went 6-1 in the Asian Games qualifiers in Singapore. The Honor of Kings team also advanced strongly from its qualifying campaign in Malaysia.
But for Escutin, simply qualifying for the Asian Games is not the end goal.
“Podium is the baseline target always,” he said.
Gold remains the ultimate target for Sibol’s strongest contenders, particularly Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, while Naraka; Bladepoint and Honor of Kings among those expected to challenge for medals.
However, the Asian Games bring tougher competition and additional responsibilities for the national delegation.
For Escutin, the objective is clear: bring home medals. As the Philippines heads to Aichi-Nagoya, Sibol’s preparation will happen behind the scenes, supporting athletes without taking over their training.