AFTER successfully holding its first conference in its inaugural season, The Nationals — the Philippines’ first and only franchise-based Esports League — is looking to build on the gains it had as it ushered in its second conference.
Officially rolled off yesterday, the second conference of the DOTA 2 competition would see once again the five competing teams testing each other as they jostle for Esports supremacy in the country.
The Cignal Ultra Warriors are aiming to win back-to-back titles after topping the first conference of DOTA 2 in April.
They bested Suha-XCTN Punishers in the grand finals to claim the title and the P400,000 top cash prize.
The Cignal Ultra Warriors were to open the second conference against PLDT-Smart Omega yesterday.
Also seeing action on opening day of the new conference were the Punishers against Bren Epro. Happy Feet Emperors had an off day.
In the second conference, up for grabs anew is P400,000 for the champion, P200,000 for the second place and P100,000 for third.
“The league’s first conference was very successful, but The Nationals have bigger things in store,” said commissioner Ren Vitug as he spoke with media at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Amelie Hotel-Manila on Tuesday.
Adding, “Hopefully, we can better show our vision this upcoming conference.”
The first season of The Nationals happens till October with all the games to be played at the Gariath Concepts Studio in Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City.
All of the contested games will have two conferences in the first season. Each conference will feature a double round-robin group stage and single-elimination playoffs, with winners and the top performers per conference advancing to a season finale later on in the year.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang on Mobile, and Tekken 7 on PS4 are set to be played later in the season.
The Nationals’ official TV broadcast partners are ESPN5 through 5Plus on Free TV and Cignal TV through eGG Network and One Sports on Pay TV. Livestreaming on social media is also provided by the league.
For more information on the league follow it on its Website at TheNationals.PH. It is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
