SIBOL MLBB exits Asian Games after quarterfinal loss to Indonesia

Kim Vincent Verano

SIBOL Philippines campaign in the 2026 Asian Games came to a screeching end after falling to long-time rival Indonesia, 2–1, in the quarterfinals of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) event at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan, Sept. 30.

The Nationals, bannered by Team Liquid PH (TLPH), entered the quarterfinals on a high note after sweeping Pool C against Jordan and Kazakhstan, only to be eliminated by the Indonesians in the knockout quarterfinal, who are now secured of at least bronze medal after qualifying for the semifinals.

“Sobrang dami naming errors and tingin ko hindi namin nalaro ‘yung laro talaga namin. Hindi ko expect na matatalo kami,” said Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, who rued the crucial errors in Game 3 that cost the Philippines a chance at a medal. 

Midlaner Dalvin Putra and roamer Alexandre Buhe opened the game with the Cecillion-Carmilla duo that constantly pressured Alston Pabico’s Eudora, who suffered three early pickoffs that left the Nationals struggling, eventually dropping the opener.

Despite falling in Game 1, SIBOL bounced back in the second game with a blistering start that halted Indonesia’s momentum and forced a decider. 

But Indonesia quickly returned to its opening-game form in the rubber set.

The Indonesians suffocated KarlTzy’s Nolan, preventing the Filipino jungler from farming comfortably as they wrested momentum back.

‎The desperate Filipinos eventually succumbed at the 17-minute mark, losing their chance to be Asiad’s maiden MLBB champion as the tournament marked its first inclusion in this year’s regional meet. 

“I still think the Philippines is on top. Maybe we just don’t play well enough internationally. I feel like the Philippines is still the best; we just struggle when we play internationally,” Nepomuceno explained after the game.

SIBOL’s MLBB exit also concluded the Philippines’ esports campaign in the 20th edition of the continental games.