Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, the flagship game of international game developer MOONTON Games, successfully concluded its men’s and women’s medal events at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok, Thailand. The five-day tournament crowned Team Philippines and Team Malaysia as gold medalists in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, marking another milestone for esports on the regional sporting stage.
The Men’s category delivered a historic moment for the Philippines, as Team Philippines secured its fourth consecutive gold medal. The team capped off its campaign with a dominant 4–0 sweep over Malaysia in the best-of-seven (Bo7) gold medal match, completing a flawless run without dropping a single match throughout the tournament. Team Philippines’ jungler, Karl Gabriel “PHI_Nepomuceno” Nepomuceno, also made history by becoming the second two-time SEA Games medalist in MLBB history. Malaysia claimed its second straight silver finish, while Indonesia secured the bronze medal.
In the Women’s category, Team Malaysia also clinched its first Gold, beating Team Philippines in their Bo7 Gold Medal match. With the score 4:3, they edged out Team Philippines, handing over its first and only match loss throughout the competition. Team Malaysia took home Bronze during the 32nd SEA Games event, while Team Philippines also bagged Silver.
The MLBB at the 33rd SEA Games unfolded in a near-identical trajectory for both the men and women categories. The Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar reached the semifinals with parallel matchups, as the Philippines defeated Indonesia and Malaysia overcame Myanmar to set up mirrored gold medal clashes between the Philippines and Malaysia. The bronze medal matches also followed the same fate, with Indonesia prevailing over Myanmar in both categories.
Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, emphasized the significance of the Philippines’ participation in MLBB events, including the 33rd SEA Games, and underscored the importance of treating esports on equal footing with traditional sports disciplines: “Kahit sa ibang events, wala tayong line up, pero dito, pinakita natin. It’s an inspiration to our Filipino youth. Pare-parehas nagrerepresent ng bansa yan, kaya pare-parehas lang ang treatment natin. We’re on the map. Di basta-basta ang pinapakita ng Pinoy sa esports.”
(“Even in other events, we don’t have a lineup, but here, we showed up. It’s an inspiration to our Filipino youth. Everyone is representing the country equally, so we treat everyone the same. We’re on the map. What Filipinos are showcasing in esports is no joke.”)
As the developer and publisher behind MLBB, MOONTON Games has played a pivotal role in nurturing Southeast Asia’s esports ecosystem. The company’s sustained investment in competitive gaming infrastructure, from grassroots tournaments to professional leagues across the region, has created pathways for talented players to represent their nations on the international stage.
Ray Ng, head of esports ecosystem at MOONTON Games, said: “As the curtains close on MLBB’s campaign at the 33rd SEA Games, this tournament leaves behind more than just medalists—it reinforces esports’ place in the region’s sporting future, one where digital and traditional disciplines compete on equal footing, united by national pride and the pursuit of excellence. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners who have brought this moment of pride home to their nations and inspired countless players across Southeast Asia. Seeing nearly every Southeast Asian nation field teams in both men’s and women’s categories is a testament to how deeply MLBB has embedded itself across the region. Our inclusion in the SEA Games as an official medal event for four consecutive years validates our approach to building sustainable, inclusive, and nationally significant esports competitions.”
MLBB’s continued presence as an official medal event in major multi-sport events alongside long-established athletic disciplines reinforces the game’s growing cultural and competitive relevance. MLBB is also set to be featured as a medal event in the 2026 Asian Games, reflecting its status as a premier mobile esports title known for its accessibility, strategic depth, and global appeal.
The battle for dominance in the Land of Dawn will continue at the upcoming M7 World Championship (M7). Returning to Indonesia—the home ground of MLBB Esports—the seventh edition of the title’s flagship tournament is set to be its largest yet. Taking place from 3 to 25 January, the M7 recently announced a landmark partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA). Through this collaboration with one of the world’s most established sporting institutions, MOONTON Games continues to position MLBB Esports amongst the biggest names in sporting entertainment. The M7 also unveiled the M Series’ inaugural Opening Ceremony—set to elevate Indonesia on the global stage. The event will turn Jakarta into a living stage for esports in a citywide takeover, drawing inspiration from the grandeur of major sporting events.