NAVI aims for MWI title defense and Filipina MLBB players empowerment

“S-A-V-A-G-E, keep it pretty, pretty savage!” A lyric that best describes NAVI PH in the Land of Dawn: charming but lethal!

Natus Vincere (NAVI) PH gears up for the 2025 MLBB Women’s Invitational at the Esports World Cup, locked in on their mission to bring pride to the nation once more and also to empower aspiring Filipina MLBB players.

NAVI PH are set to defend their crown in this year’s edition of the MWI, but this time, what message do they want to send to the world?

“As defending champions po, it's very important for us to be able to get the spot again, to get a shot at defending our crown. It’s also to prove to the world na yung pagkapanalo namin nung nakaraan hindi yung chamba lang,” EXP laner Gwyneth “Not Ayanami” Diagon said, determined to prove that their 2024 MWI championship was not a fluke.

The former Smart Omega Empress pulled off a dominant 3-0 sweep in the Grand Finals over Indonesia’s Team Vitality last year, but some still downplayed their great milestone on the international stage.

NAVI PH’s quest to defend their MWI title now comes with a deeper calling—to become a beacon of inspiration for women pursuing a future in esports.

“Gusto po namin maging inspirasyon sa ibang women players po lalo na po dito sa Pilipinas na huwag po kayo mawalan ng pag-asa or hope kasi diyan po naman kami nag-start eh, from scratch," NAVI roamer Mery “Meraaay” Vivero expressed.

She continued: "Walang-wala po kami tapos parang sinasabi namin na parang ang hirap manalo pero iba po talaga yung nagagawa pag mahal mo po talaga yung ginagawa mo. Passion tsaka commitment po sa bagay na ginagawa mo,”

PHOTO: SIBOL

Inspiring the next generation of female esports athletes

Breaking into the male-dominated world of esports can be tough for women, but NAVI’s success on the global stage has paved the way for other aspiring female gamers.

“May nakita din ako sa interview na factor din yung nanalo kami sa EWC, kaya parang gusto din nila maabot yung naabot namin,” Sheen “Shinoa” Perez said.

“As what Shinoa said po na after winning EWC po, siguro maraming teams po na nabigyan ng hope na mag-invest or bumuo ng female team kasi na-prove po naman namin or napatunayan po namin sa buong mundo na kaya naman po namin sumabay sa local or international tournament po.”

“Kaya grateful po kami na nabigyan po ng exposure or ng pagkakataon yung mga kababaihan na sumali po sa ganiyang klase na tournament and thankful po sa Athena League na binigyan po kami ng chance ipakita yung mga potential, mga talents po namin sa paglalaro po ng Mobile Legends,” Meeray added.

The Athena League served as the Philippines' official qualifier for MLBB MWI 2025, providing a platform for female MLBB players to show their competitive edge.

As the reigning champions of the MWI, all eyes are on NAVI PH, but they remain confident that the Philippines is well-represented alongside fellow powerhouse Team Liquid Aqua.

“May pressure naman po kasi marami pong expectations yung mga tao pero at the same time feel ko naman po sa team namin na confident pa rin po kami na ma-defend yung title namin sa EWC,” Meeray expressed.

“For me, more chances of winning po yung Philippines kasi two teams na, and I'm super happy po na binigyan nila ng chance yung PH na dalawa yung representatives. I'm excited po kasi ibibigay po namin yung best namin both teams po,” NAVI middle laner Rica “Amoree” Amores said, promising to perform at her best to defend the MWI title.

Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.