New eSports league set for 2019 start

PLDT chairman Manny Pangilinan and top officials from STI, Cignal, BrenPro, HappyFeet, and TNC unite to formally launch The Nationals.

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The Philippines is making a huge step in the eSports scene through the launch of The Nationals.

For the first time ever, a club eSports league similar to the PBA, PSL, PVL, and PFL 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,” said TV5 president and CEO Chot Reyes.

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

The tournament series will serve as a basis on the gamers that 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.

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