AFTER a nearly two-year hiatus, NCAA players finally return to action — in a different arena.
Ten established universities and colleges boasting their finest cage players buckle down to work anew through the College Center for Esports (CCE) that ushers a new era in the collegiate sports scene with a historic Mobile Legends: Bang Bang 5-on-5 Varsity Cup (MVC) kicking off today.
Games will be streamed on CALM Network with Alaxan FR, Bio-Agrownica, Rebel Sports Pilipinas, Efficascent Relaxscent Oil, Tagaytay Pura Vida Resort and Hotel, SMDC Malls, and Smart Communications, Inc.
CCE rolls out the carpet with an explosive quadruple-header bannered by a tiff pitting Letran and San Beda University at 5 p.m. in a whole new chapter of their storied rivalry.
All matches in the single round robin qualifiers will be played in a best-of-three series until Nov. 13.
The top eight schools then advance to the playoffs where the top four are automatically seeded to the upper bracket while the bottom four rumble in the lower bracket. Following suit will be the best-of-five semifinals and the best-of-seven championship match.
“CCE is the new platform to showcase the talents and efforts of our students. It’s an avenue for them be mentally and physically active while gaining added motivation for their academic excellence,” CCE president Edwin Chiong said.
“It’s to hone and display their talents, confidence, patience, zeal, coordination and teamwork but most importantly, for the spirit of sportsmanship,” he added.
While it is an entirely different game from intense basketball wars in sellout crowds, Letran ace playmaker Fran Yu said the mission of flying the flag of their schools remains the same, even in the unique online world.
