Defending champs for a reason: BOOM Esports dominates JGE for back-to-back titles

MANILA — BOOM Esports overpowered JGame Esports, 4-1, to clinch a second straight Philippines Kings League (PKL) title on Sunday at the SM Aura Samsung Hall — and book their tickets to the Honor of Kings International Championship 2026.

After providing steady plays for the team, BOOM John Phillex “Daniii” Bulanadi was named the Finals Most Valuable Player. 

BOOM Esports secured early momentum in Game 1 by securing the first Tyrant of the match, but JGE answered back in the 6-minute mark after an over extension of BOOM, wiping them out and securing the second Tyrant.

JGE extended their lead, eliminating the Overlord 11 minutes into the game, to help them take down BOOM Esports’ inhibitor tower in the top lane.

BOOM’s Chammy “Chammy1” Paul Asignado Nazarrea and Karl “Karlll” Ken Bautista showed their teamfight prowess, securing back-to-back Tyrants and four-for-one trades in the late game, eventually leading to their final push in the bottom lane to secure a 1-0 advantage over JGE. 

Riding the momentum in game 1, BOOM continued their dominance after an early lead by securing the first Tyrant and a three-for-one trade, while maintaining the map control.

But JGE equalized the lead after getting the Tyrant in the 10 minute mark and a triple kill for John Kirvy “Kirvsuu” Nulla, three for one, in favor of JGE.

However, that didn’t last long as Karlll got the Overlord in the late game, translating to a middle tower push, with Daniii getting a triple kill to finally end the game, extending their lead to 2-0. 

JG Esports secured an early advantage in Game 3 after securing a two for none trade two minutes in, courtesy of Steven “Haru” Buenaventura and Kirvsu. 

The defending champs showcased their macro advantage, as they baited the Tyrant in the 11-minute stamp to eliminate JGE one-by-one, leading to a top lane push to secure championship point, 3-0.

With the trophy on the line, JGE didn’t back down after a seesaw Game 4, despite BOOM controlling the early parts of the game, with Karlll securing the first Tyrant at the 10-minute mark to maintain their map advantage. 

However, JGE turned the tide through a series of successful team fights, highlighted by a triple kill from Kirvsuu in the middle lane, allowing the team to erase BOOM’s lead and take map control.

BOOM attempted to regain momentum after Karlll secured the Evolved Overlord at the 12-minute mark, but JGE responded with a three-for-none trade in the middle lane, led by Kirvsu’s double kill. JGE continued to punish BOOM’s failed engagements, taking down its members and establishing a 1K gold lead before securing another Overlord.

Despite Karlll’s four-for-two trade that briefly gave BOOM an opening, JGE won the decisive Overlord contest with a four-for-one exchange. The squad then pushed through the middle lane and completed a comeback, cutting BOOM’s lead series, 3-1. 

BOOM Esports imposed dominance over JGE in  Game 5 from start to finish, leading to a 10-minute end-game to secure two consecutive titles in the local tournament. 

After a flawless 9-0 standings in the regular season, BOOM continued its dominance coming in the playoffs after winning 4-0 against Titan Esports Club in the semifinals and 4-1 against TNT Tropang Alab in the upper bracket finals.

This marks the third championship for BOOM Esports after winning three out of the four past PKL tournaments.