PLDT, Cignal, TNC, BrenPro and Other Groups Form The Nationals, the Biggest e-Sports League to Date

Philippine gaming hits another big milestone with the announcement of The Nationals; the first-ever esports franchise model league in the country.

The initial 6 teams of The Nationals signing the MOU

This esports league emulates the league format we all know and love where franchise teams compete in four games for various gaming communities namely PC gaming, console gaming, mobile gaming and an as-yet-to-be-revealed fourth genre.

Aside from making the players and the fans happy The Nationals was also created for the country to have an actual pool of talent for national esports athletes who will compete in sanctioned tourneys held in SEA, Asia and even the world.

Currently, there are six corporate partners who have put in money for The Nationals namely TNC Pro Team, HappyFeet Esports, BrenPro Inc. There’s also the bigger entreprises like PLDT, Smart Communications, Cignal TV Inc. and suprise, surprise STI Education Systems.

And since this is a PLDT / Smart endeavor, expect the tournament to have live broadcast on ESPN5.

MVP discussing the foray of the PLDT group into esports

Vincent P. Reyes, President and CEOof TV5 says:

“Esports has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years in both audience and home-grown talent. Our goal has always been to elevate the sport by giving it a platform to reach a wider audience. We have been pioneers in putting up esports tournaments on free tv, so it makes perfect sense for us to air the first ever franchise-based league in the Philippines.”

Jane Basas discussing the creation of The Nationals

Jane Basas, CEO of Cignal TV Inc., says:

“Cignal has always believed in giving the Filipino viewer what it wants, whether it’s a new movie channel, the best sports events or a more immersive news program. Cignal’s move into esports is motivated by the same passion to give people what they’ve been clamoring for. And more than that, we want to take our position and help elevate the play and broadcast of esports to new heights in the country.”

The search begins for the next stars in Philippine esports begins this August 2018 with the event called “The Road to The Nationals” organized by Smart Communications and PLDT Home. This event will be played across 10 locations all over the Philippines and open to various genres . The final 8 teams will then face off at the Electronic Sports and Gaming Summit or ESGS 2018 which will be held at the SMX Convention Center from the 26th to the 28th of October.

Chot Reyes discussing the Road to The Nationals

If anything, The Nationals prove that esports continues to thrive in the country and acknowledges the latest data revealed by Newzoo Insights which stats that around 32 million Filipinos can now be classified as gamers.