LOCAL eSports team ONIC Philippines bagged first place at the Mytel Myanmar COVID-19 Mobile Legends Charity Tournament.
The international competition held last March 30 to April 8, was organized to raise a prize pool of $10,000 (approx. P 507,360) for pandemic-related relief efforts in Myanmar.
Despite having only been formed in 2019, ONIC PH has already proven its mettle. Much like the unassuming yet formidable team mascot, the porcupine they have moved up the eSports ladder surprising bigger, better financed teams.
In their first year, the underdog team qualified as the runner-up in the Mobile Legends Pro League-Philippines (MPL) Season 4, the local qualifier for the MLBB World Championship, the largest and most prestigious mobile eSports competition in Southeast Asia.
In the Mytel charity tournament, organized by game developer Moonton and telecommunications firm Mytel Myanmar, eight Southeast Asian eSports teams from Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines battled it out online in double elimination brackets.
From the group stages, only six teams qualified for the playoffs led by ONIC Philippines and the Burmese Ghouls, who secured their slots in the semi-finals with 19 and 16 points, respectively.
ONIC PH also nabbed first place at the Amplfy WFH Charity Cup held last April 9 when it trounced first runner-up and longtime rival Bren Esports (3-1). Proceeds raised will be donated to the United Nations COVID-19 response fund according to Tier One Entertainment, the Philippine-based eSports agency that organized the tournament.
Everyone has a part
For ONIC PH, using the gaming platform to collaborate with different organizations is an important way to spread awareness and encourage others to donate to COVID-19 relief and response efforts.
The use of eSports competitions for charity and the utilization of digital payments are some of the ways the community can raise donations for relief efforts while staying at home.
“We hope we are inspiring others to help out too. No matter how big or small our actions may seem, any help we give can make a difference. Everyone has a part.” said Team Captain Jonmar Villaluna.
“The team will continue to look at how it can partner or support different NGOs and institutions in response to COVID-19,” said ONIC Philippines Country Manager and Head of Business Development Rafael Sanchez.