Aside from company launches, esports history also happened during the Philippine Game Dev Expo 2025.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has officially crowned its first-ever Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (ML:BB) champions, and the title belongs to the Letran Knights. In a thrilling best-of-five grand finals, the Knights secured a dominant 3-1 victory over the JRU Heavy Bombers, making history for their school and the collegiate esports scene.
The championship match took place on July 27, 2025, at the Philippine GameDev Expo in Pasay City, where the Knights lifted their well-deserved trophy.
Letran Knights: A Story of Redemption
The road to the championship was not an easy one for Letran. Both the Knights and the Heavy Bombers had topped their respective groups in the preliminary Round Robin phase, earning them a direct slot in the playoffs. However, it was JRU who initially got the upper hand, defeating Letran 3-1 in the upper bracket finals and securing the first grand finals spot.
Undeterred, the Knights fought their way through the lower bracket, besting the Mapúa Cardinals with a 3-1 score to earn their rematch against JRU. In the end, they got their revenge, defeating the very team that had sent them to the lower bracket and sealing their championship win.
A Dream Realized for the Team and Organizers
The team’s jungler, John Marcus Loyola, shared his overwhelming joy after the victory. “All the hard work from our daily scrims and games paid off,” he said. “All the time and sacrifice we put in as a team was worth it.” He also thanked God, his teammates, and the organizers of the NCAA Esports tournament, expressing hope that the event will continue.
The victory brings more than just a trophy. The Letran Knights, along with their manager and coach, were awarded a trip to the Thailand Game Show this October, courtesy of the Collegiate Center for Esports. The team captain, Jade Michael Mercado, was also recognized for his outstanding performance in the gold lane and his leadership, earning the realme Finals MVP award and a new realme 14 5G phone.
Letran Knights Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Roster:
- Jade Michael G. Mercado
- John Marcus Malig Loyola
- Aaron Jacob C. Corpuz
- George Brent G. Imbang
- Philip Fonzy B. Acera,
- Christian Alec D. San Diego
- Kenneth Mejillano – Coach
- Hans Steve Nieva – Manager
The Rise of Collegiate Esports
The tournament’s success highlights the growing importance of esports in collegiate athletics. Stanley Lao, the founder of the Collegiate Center for Esports (CCE)—the organizing partner for the event—thanked everyone involved and emphasized the significance of the platform for students. “This has long been our dream for the kids who want to have a career in esports,” Lao said. “As long as they keep striving for their dreams, we will continue to support them.”
The inaugural NCAA Esports tournament concluded with the JRU Heavy Bombers as the 2nd place finishers and the Mapúa Cardinals taking 3rd place, rounding out the historic first podium. This event, organized in partnership with CCE, marks a new chapter for the NCAA, solidifying esports as a legitimate and thrilling part of collegiate competition.
For more information about the Collegiate Center for Esports (CCE), check out their official Facebook page.
Neal Errol Bulawan
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