1st eSports franchise league to be launched in PH

In The Nationals, teams will bring in representatives in four eSports titles — one PC, one mobile, one console, and a wildcard game. (Photo: Chot Reyes/Twitter)

MANILA — The Philippines is making a huge step in the electronic sports or eSports scene through the launch of The Nationals.

For the first time ever, a club eSports league similar to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Philippine SuperLiga (PSL), Premier Volleyball League, and the Philippine Football League will take place starting next year.

In The Nationals, teams will bring in representatives in four eSports titles — one PC, one mobile, one console, and a wildcard game.

Just like the PBA and the PSL, The Nationals will be nationally televised through ESPN 5.

“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,” TV5 president and CEO Chot Reyes said.

The buildup to the new league begins with The Road to Nationals starting in August and will culminate at the Electronic Sports and Gaming Summit 2018 on Oct. 26-28.

The tournament series will serve as a basis for the gamers who will take part in The Nationals, which in turn will be the basis of the national teams that will take part in the SEA Games, the Asian Games, and the Olympics.