PHNOM PENH. –The Philippine Sibol team swept its way past Malaysia 3-0 to bag the gold medal in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang event of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games esports tournament at the Naba Theatre of the Naga World 2 Integrated Resort here Sunday.
Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel celebrated his second gold medal for Sibol as the team scored a 19-11, 16-7, 19-16 win over the Malaysians.
Arcangel, 24, playing the important role of Faramis, a healer, kept most of his teammates from getting easily killed in the game. He last saw action for the team when they won their first gold back in the 2019 edition of the games in the Philippines.
“This is exciting. I’m the only one who has won two gold medals. And I thank my teammates for it,” said Arcangel, who drew support from Michael Sayson, David Canon, Marco Requitano and Rowgien Unigo.
It was the Philippines’ second esports gold in these games, following its title conquest in the League of Legends: Wild Rift. Filipino esports bets also had a silver in the women’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and bronze medals in the Valorant PC mixed team event and Crossfire.
A double kill from Canon’s Arlott character saw Sibol taking a 6-0 lead early in the 26-minute-long Game 1.
In Game 2, Sibol fought its way to a 4-all count before Canon’s axe-wielding Lapu Lapu went on a triple as the Filipinos took charge 11-4.
“The boys just brought their A game to the match,” said coach Francis Gilindrino of the team’s fighting spirit.
Sibol finished the Malaysians in Game 3 by taking control of the base in just 11 minutes.
Gilindrino noted that that the Malaysians overlooked their need for necromances, or healers, known as a Faramis.
“We realized na hindi sila masyadong nag-carry, or nag Faramis. And that was our priority in the games,” said Gilindrino.
Sibol reached the finals after coming from behind to beat Myanmar, 2-1, in their semifinal clash last Saturday.
Malaysia advanced to the gold-medal round with a 2-1 triumph over Cambodia.
The team is composed of the core of the Bren Esports Team, which won the titles in the 2019 and 2021 editions of the biennial meet.
