Mapúa Gaming Society nabs bronze in NCAA 100 Esports

Article by: Sean Carlo O. Samonte

Graphics by: Albert Dylan D. David and Sean Carlo O. Samonte

Photo by: Setheleh Liam G. Ramos

In a fiery showcase of grit and nail-biting clashes, the Mapúa Gaming Society (MGS), proudly representing Mapúa University (MU), emerged as princes of the Land of Dawn after securing a 2nd runner-up finish in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 Esports Kickoff: Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) Tournament last July 27 at the Philippine GameDev Expo, SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

Armed with skill, swagger, and relentless spirit, the red and gold squad–composed of Demetrius Yuriel Audjie, Rafael Benipayo, JM Ocampo, Clint Aljarreau Orsoman, Axl Santos, and Vincent Villanueva–blazed their way into the playoffs, carving a place among the elite six universities with sights locked firmly on the inaugural crown.

Clean Sweep, Cardinal Style

Storming onto the debut stage with domination written all over their name, MGS proved that the Cardinals are a force not to be taken lightly. Demonstrating calculated flanks and ganks, they dismantled the San Beda University Red Lions and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals in back-to-back 2–0 clashes on June 28 and 29, respectively.

Showcasing unrivaled mastery of pure cable geometry, MU’s jungler Ocampo stunned Game 1 with a lethal Fanny performance, securing plays, kills, and objectives left and right to leave the enemy team defenseless. On the other hand, midlaner Benipayo dominated Game 2 as Zhuxin, unleashing hordes of butterflies to propel the Cardinals into victory.

With their commanding presence on the battlefield, both players delivered performances that not only secured decisive victories for the Cardinals–but also set the tone for the team’s dominance, ultimately earning them the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors.

Stamped for the Finals

Riding high from back-to-back 2–0 sweeps, the Cardinals cranked up their momentum with another commanding 2–0 romp over the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas on July 12. Their blazing run, however, was abruptly halted the next day as the Jose Rizal

University Heavy Bombers flipped the script and dealt them a wipeout of their own.

Nonetheless, the squad’s exp laner Santos and gold laner Orsoman rose to the occasion as Arlott and Moskov, respectively, after delivering standout performances that turned their games into showcases of skill and composure.

Now boasting nine points off a solid 6–2 win-loss card in the elimination stage, Muralla’s pride have officially punched their one-way ticket to the finals as the second seed of their group, carrying with them the firepower and confidence to challenge for the title.

Questing for Glory

Roughly two weeks after their last NCAA outing, the Cardinals clashed with the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags in their opening finals matchup last July 25 at the Philippine GameDev Expo, held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Making it clear who was in command, the pack stormed the arena with a commanding 3–0 sweep over Recto’s challengers, steadily climbing the bracket in pursuit of gold.

Leading the charge for Mapúa, midlaner Benipayo secured MVP honors in the first two games with his tactical Pharsa plays, while roamer Villanueva sealed the series by showcasing a pivotal Gatotkaca performance in the last match.

Despite their momentum, the team stumbled in a 1–2 setback against the Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) Knights on July 26, falling short of clinching an upper bracket spot. But all hope was not lost, as the Cardinals flew back to sink the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates in their lower bracket matchup, securing a guaranteed podium finish and keeping their championship dreams alive.

Midlaner Benipayo once again turned in masterful performances on Zhuxin against the Knights and Pharsa against the Pirates, while jungler Ocampo spearheaded the clash with LPU through his top-tier play on Fredrinn and Lancelot–earning both players MVP recognition.

One Last Shot

Facing their upper bracket rivals once more with a championship berth on the line, the MGS battled the CSJL Knights on July 27, leaving it all on the stage to claim the final spot in the grand showdown.

With unshakable composure as Zetian, Benipayo took center stage in Game 1 as his relentless global pressure cracked open the Knights’ defenses early, setting the tone for Mapúa’s charge and earning him the match MVP spotlight. Yet amidst their fast start, the home-based squad were lanced in the later games and ended in a hard-fought 1–3 clash—their championship hopes pierced and cut short.

Though outpaced in the final bid for glory, the Cardinals’ fiery run in the kickoff cemented their place among the league’s rising squads, proving that the builders of Intramuros can stand tall on the national stage beyond the bound of academics.

Flaunting a podium finish in their debut crusade,  MGS has set the tone for greater battles ahead—carrying the red and gold banner higher into the future of collegiate esports. As the upcoming season expands to feature games beyond MLBB, there is still more to come for these tech-savvy legends.