Updated on December 16, 6 p.m. (GMT+8): Updated Ribo, added two more players.
From classic PC strategy games to old-school fighting games, to newer mobile esports, the Philippines is home to many top-tier esports athletes.
But who are the country’s greatest esports athletes of all time?
Spawning from grassroots tournaments and grinding their way to the top, we think these five Filipino pros are the ones that have left the biggest mark on history.
These seven amazing Filipino esports athletes have made history
DJ (Dota 2)
Djardel Jicko B. “DJ” Mampusti’s claim to Philippine esports fame is his role as captain for FNATIC’s Dota 2 team. From his humble roots playing in computer shops in Marikina City, DJ has since become one of Philippine esports’ best players, with recognition worldwide.
He led FNATIC in numerous Dota 2 tournaments for many years, such as the Shanghai Major, the Manila Major, the ESL One Katowice, and The International. DJ has also invested in Filipino internet cafe franchise TheNet.Com, aka TNC, and had a brief stint with Execration’s Dota 2 team.
EnDerr (Starcraft II)
A mainstay in the Starcraft II competitive scene for over a decade, Caviar Napoleon “EnDerr” Marquises-Acampado’s name is almost synonymous with StarCraft in the Philippine esports scene. He’s won several championship titles for the Philippines, including the 2012 StarCraft II World Championship Series: SEA Nationals, the ESL ANZ Winter Cup, the WESG 2018 SEA Qualifier, and most recently, the Dreamhack StarCraft II Masters 2020 Winter: Oceania and Southeast Asia.
EnDerr is also the first StarCraft player to win a gold medal in an Olympic-level event, winning gold for the Philippines in the 2019 SEA Games, in the esports category
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Ribo (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang)
CJ Ribo has a long list achievements in the MLBB scene. He has won the M2 World Championship, a SEA Games gold medal, and two MPL championships. Not to mention, all the other tournaments he’s won, such as the Razer SEA Invitational, The Nationals, and the Challenger SEA Summit, among others.
The veteran Mobile Legends player has been in the professional scene since MPL Season 1, with all of his teams making it to the playoffs. He is also the only athlete to have played all five team roles professionally. Ribo is currently competing for amateur team Zol Esports alongside former Bren teammate Allan “Lusy” Castromayor Jr. and former Nexplay EVOS player Jeff “S4gitnu” Subang.
Xmithie (League of Legends)
Filipino-American Jake Kevin Puchero, aka Xmithie, is a League of Legends player known for his time on Team Liquid, Counter Logic Gaming, and Immortals.
Known today as one of the top junglers of the League of Legends Championship Series, Xmithie first got into League in 2011. Grinding his way up from ranked games to small tournaments, to first breaking into the professional scene with mTw.NA.
He won the 2015 NA LCS Summer Playoffs and the 2016 NA LCS Spring Playoffs under Counter Logic Gaming, and won the 2018 NA LCS Spring Playoffs with Team Liquid.
AK (Tekken 7)
Alexandre “AK” Laverez shot to fame after competing at the 2013 King of Iron Fist Global Championship at the age of 13, where he faced off against some of the world’s best Tekken 7 players.
The child prodigy has been playing at the highest level of competitive Tekken play since he was barely in his teens, earning podium finishes in worldwide events such as the SEA Major Singapore 2018, Evolution Championship Series Japan 2019, and the Tekken World Tour Finals 2019 LCQ.
He represented the Philippines at the 2019 SEA Games and won silver in the esports category for Tekken 7.
OhMyV33nus (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang)
Considered one of the best shot callers in the MLBB competitive scene, Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna reached superstar status for leading Blacklist International to three MPL PH titles, the first team to achieve such a feat in the country.
His also won the prestigious M3 World Championship and the 31st Southeast Asian Games, and is the face of the LGBTQ+ community in the Philippine esports scene, inspiring many to achieve their esports dream despite discrimination.
Wise (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang)
The other half of the V33Wise duo, Danerie James “Wise” Del Rosario has been one of the most influential junglers in the game, revolutionizing how the role is played.
He popularized jungle fighters and marksmen in the competitive scene at a time when assassin heroes dominated the meta.
Together with Blacklist International, they pioneered the UBE meta, which led them to multiple podium finishes in both local and international tournaments. Their achievements include the M3 World Championship title, three MPL PH titles, and the 31st Southeast Asian games gold medal.
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