PESO says Sibol’s Asiad campaign ‘a success’ despite missing out on MLBB medal

Sibol, the Philippines’ national esports contingent, ahead of its campaign at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — The Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) saw Sibol’s campaign at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 a success.

Sibol is the Philippines’ national esports contingent, representing the country on the international stage.

The six-team delegation clinched two bronze medals — one from Pokémon Unite and another from Honor Kings — to break through in the continental meet, after an empty-handed stint at the Hangzhou Games in 2023.

“If you think about it, for me, it is still a success,” PESO executive director Marlon “Lon” Marcelo told esports reporters after the Asiad.

Sibol also made its mark on titles which had lower expectations, but still advanced to the quarterfinals.

Although, Marcelo acknowledged that missing the medal in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang MOBA title was a “heartbreaking and heart-wrenching” one.

“Even kahit diyan sa Puyo Puyo, umabot sa quarters; umabot ‘yung Naraka sa quarters. That was a result of ‘yung mga efficiencies na ginawa natin, ‘yung bootcamp,” said Marcelo.

“It so happened lang na the MLBB part was so heartbreaking and heart-wrenching kasi nandun lahat ng expectations, eh. But if you treat it as equal, the medals that we actually achieved were more than enough for us,” he added.

Marcelo credited the institutions which allowed the Sibol squads to train in a bootcamp ahead of Asiad, pouring out resources for the esports athletes.

“Ang daming moving parts. Happy to say, naayos lahat ng PESO ’yun in a short amount of time. Of course, we thank our partners natin sa government, ‘yung PSC, POC, si Senator Bong Go, and of course, our partners in the private sector, Smart, Arena Social, TV5, Cignal,” he said.