The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is adding a digital twist to its centennial season with the launch of a Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (ML:BB) tournament — one of the Philippines’ most popular esports titles.
While the competition is not part of the NCAA’s official calendar, organisers say it could open doors for esports to be formally included in future seasons. The special event aims to explore the growing demand for esports among students and fans alike.
Tournament schedule and format
The ML:BB tournament will officially begin on 28 June with the first round robin phase, which continues until 29 June. Teams will then return for the second round robin from 12 to 13 July, leading up to the much-anticipated offline finals from 25 to 27 July. The finals will be held at the Philippine Game Development Expo (PGDX) at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
According to NCAA Management Committee chairman Hercules Callanta of Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), the goal is to showcase esports titles that are highly popular among students but currently not recognised as NCAA sports.
“It’s a special event. The aim is to highlight games that are popular in the Philippines but not part of the NCAA calendar,” said Callanta in an interview with GMA News Online.
Not first for NCAA esports
This is not the NCAA’s first step into the esports scene. In 2021, the Collegiate Center for Esports (CCE) hosted a Mobile Legends tournament that included all 10 NCAA member schools. That event gained traction with the participation of top collegiate basketball players like Fran Yu, King Caralipio, Damie Cuntapay, Yukien Andrada, Warren Bonifacio, and Jasper Cuevas.
LPU won that tournament, with Yancy Remulla named Most Valuable 바카라er (MVP).
Esports experience matters
Callanta said the NCAA’s previous exposure to esports has helped prepare the league for this special event. In recent years, Esports Philippines has conducted multiple esports competitions involving NCAA schools. These past efforts have built the foundation and interest needed to stage a full ML:BB event this year.
“NCAA is already used to hosting esports events, although on a limited scale,” Callanta noted.
He added that these initiatives have allowed the committee to better understand the logistical requirements, student interest, and reception of esports in the collegiate space.
Valorant coming in 2026
Looking ahead, Callanta confirmed that the NCAA plans to stage a Valorant tournament in the next season. The move signals the league’s growing commitment to the esports space, which continues to gain popularity among students and fans across the country.
