RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) and Esports World Cup (EWC) partnership is proving to be more than just an esports spectacle. It’s become a driver for national development, youth empowerment, and economic growth, according to top government officials from the Philippines and Malaysia.Speaking at a joint press conference during EWC 2025, leaders from both countries emphasised the role of esports in shaping the future of sports, technology, and culture in the region.
Philippines: MLBB as a Professional Sport and Career Path
Atty. Erose Marlo C. Laeno, Chief Legal Officer at the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) of the Philippines, noted that the government has officially recognised esports as a professional sport since 2017 placing it under similar governance to traditional sports.
This recognition, she explained, has legitimised esports as a viable career choice for Filipino youth. With five of the six M Series World Championship titles under their belt, the Philippines has risen as the undisputed MLBB esports powerhouse:
- Bren Esports – M2 (2021): The pioneers who lit the spark with the country’s first world title.
- Blacklist International – M3 (2021): The dynasty builders, known for their “Ultimate Bonding Experience” strategy.
- Echo – M4 (2023): The roar that shook the world, dominating with a statement win.
- AP.Bren – M5 (2023): Redemption secured, bringing the crown back home.
- AP.Bren – M6 (2024): History makers, the first back-to-back world champions.
“This has really uplifted the view that not just youth, but the general public has of what esports is and what value it contributes to the development of our youth,” Laeno said.
Turning the Tide
The third map witnessed a turning of the tide. Shifting gears in their approach, Team Heretics solidified their defense, punished extensions, and executed immaculate post-plant plays. It wasn’t skill alone on display here, it was synergy at its best.
At one crucial round, silently, their duelist swung wide at the same time the controller’s smoke neatly blocked the enemy’s access, making it an easy defuse for the sentinel. In another, their in-game leader called a rotate a second or two ahead of the opposing team’s push, leaving them utterly surprised. The timing, positioning, and trust between them was near telepathic, the kind achieved only by spending hundreds of hours playing and learning together.
Map four was similar, as Heretics took apart their rivals’ economy and controlled the tempo of each round. Supporters could sense the momentum changing, once-dominant opposition now seemed rattled, fighting to keep up with the constant pressure.
All Teams Competing in The International 2025
The International 2025 (TI14) brings together the top 16 teams in the world, with a mix of dominant DPC performers and rising stars from regional qualifiers.
Direct Invites — Top 8 Teams by DPC Points
Map four followed suit, with Heretics dismantling their opponents’ economy and dictating the pace of every round. Fans could feel the energy shifting, the once-dominant opposition now looked shaken, struggling to keep up with the relentless pressure.
“We knew we couldn’t go out like that,” said Team Heretics’ captain after the match. “The only way forward was to believe in each other, stick to our game plan, and take it one round at a time.”
The Decider: A Statement Win
By the time the fifth and final map began, the tension was electric. Every round was a battle of wits and nerves. In the end, the Heretics’ composure under fire proved decisive. Clutch plays from their duelists, crucial utility setups from their supports, and the unshakable mental game of the entire roster sealed the reverse sweep in emphatic fashion.
With a 3–2 series victory, Team Heretics were crowned VALORANT champions at the 2025 Esports World Cup – completing one of the most remarkable comebacks in tournament history.
MVP Performances That Defined the Series
- Star Duelist: Consistently won opening duels and created space for the team in must-win rounds.
- Star Duelist – (Mert “Wo0t” Alkan) Consistently secured opening kills across the final maps, carving out space for his team when it mattered most. His dominant play, particularly on Ascent (13–10 close), turned the series around. Wo0t’s leadership both in strategy and fragging earned him the tournament MVP honors.
- In-Game Leader – (Mert “Wo0t” Alkan) As the IGL, he masterminded mid-series adaptations that dismantled Fnatic’s early dominance. Even after being down 0–2, Wo0t’s tactical adjustments led Heretics to secure three straight map wins, on Icebox (13–11), Haven (13–10), and Ascent (13–10) securing the reverse sweep.
- Support Player – (Dominykas “MiniBoo” Lukasevicius) Delivered critical utility and sharp duel impact, especially in the decider. On Ascent, MiniBoo’s strategic contributions and aggression helped Heretics clinch their first-ever international VALORANT title and the US $500,000 grand prize
Conclusion
The 2025 Esports World Cup VALORANT grand finals were a masterclass in perseverance. Team Heretics showed that even in the face of overwhelming odds, champions find a way to rise. Their reverse sweep wasn’t just a win it was a statement to the entire esports community that skill alone isn’t enough; heart, adaptability, and belief are equally powerful weapons.
For fans, it was the kind of underdog comeback that turns casual viewers into lifelong supporters. For the players, it was the ultimate reward for their preparation and trust in one another. And for the history books, it was another chapter in the legacy of the Esports World Cup.
The 2025 Esports World Cup VALORANT finals were an emotional rollercoaster and a masterclass in grit, perseverance, and unwavering faith. Defying all odds, Team Heretics fought back from the edge of the cliff to script an impossible reverse sweep, showing the world that champions are not made in a flawless run, but in their capacity to rise when all seems lost.
This was more than a victory, it was a statement. A reminder to the world of esports that pure skill will get you only so far; it’s heart, flexibility, and unshakeable faith in your teammates that make the impossible possible.
For fans, it was the type of comeback that took your breath away, the type that made casual fans permanent supporters. For the players, it was the ultimate reward for every practice hour, every brutal loss, and every second they decided to have faith in each other.
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