ESPORTS made its debut as a demonstration sport in this year’s Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City, with Region X hailed as the winner.

Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro said the Department of Education and members of the Palaro Board will review the demo sport and decide whether to include it in the official games for the next edition of the Palaro.

Mobile Legends Bang Bang, a five versus five mobile multiplayer battle arena published by Moonton, was the demo game in this year’s national scholastic sporting meet.

“Mobile Legends is a strategy game that shows us that unity is the key to win. This only affirms that as long as players are united, they can attain victory,” Teodoro said.

The mayor said Esports has become a worldwide phenomenon in recent years, engrossing millions of people, crossing borders and bringing people from various walks of life together.

“The conduct of Esports as a demonstration sport in this year’s edition of the Palaro is a way of embracing the new wave of digital sports,” he said.

“This is the gateway to the future of sports and gaming, and more broadly, connectivity and technology,” he added.

Region X (Northern Mindanao) bested all the six participating regions in the demo sport conducted at the Teatro Marikina, held from July 29 to 30.

Region VI bagged placed first while the NCR landed in second place.

The other teams that competed in the demo sport were Region IX, Region VII, and Region XI.

The winning team, Region X, received a trophy and brand new phones.

“Esports, a brand-new type of athletic competition, pits competitors against one another in competitive games that need teamwork, wits, and agility. It has shown to be a way to advance personally, encouraging self-control, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills,” the mayor noted.

Incorporating esports into the Palarong Pambansa will give young Filipino athletes the opportunity to explore their gaming passions, develop their skills, and reach their full potential, according to the mayor.

“The Philippines has the chance to use the enormous appeal and popularity of esports to engage and motivate the upcoming generation of athletes,” he went on.

The Philippine Esports Organization assisted in the conduct of the demo sport.

“We are ecstatic that Esports is being included in the Palarong Pambansa, this will open new opportunities for our young gamers to showcase their talents and abilities,” Marlon Marcelo, PESO’s executive director, said.

PESO has lauded the local government of Marikina for its “proactive stance in adapting to the changing landscape of sports and providing a platform for the youth to shine.”