IN THE grand finale of Dark League Studios' nationwide amateur tournament, the Kings League, Setsuna "Akosi Dogie" Ignacio teamed up with PBA players Jerick Ahanmisi, Allen Mina, and Joseph Gabayni to challenge the recently announced MPL-bound Minana Esports.
As expected, Minana Esports came out on top with a commanding 51-19 win over the PBA Allstars.
But the team-up of PBA stars and one of the biggest Mobile Legends influencers and pro players was a hint of the PBA's plans in the esports scene. Dark League's head of operations, Carlo Giron, revealed to Spin.ph that Dark League Studios is helping the PBA create its own esports league.
"Our initial plan kasi for PBA esports, yung roster namin for 12 PBA teams will consist of two PBA players, 1 ML influencer, three PBA fans/grassroots players, and one player [from the academe]," revealed Giron.
And when will this happen? According to Dark League Studios head AC Valdenor, "That program sets the tone for the upcoming PBA Esports Bakbakan which will happen in the first quarter of next year. So watch out and support your favorite PBA teams compete and play with the most influential gamers, fans, and academe esports players."
Dark League Studios is a close collaborator with the PBA
It's no surprise that Dark League Studios is helping the PBA in this venture. After all, the esports organization is backed by no less than Alfrancis Chua and Bobby Rosales.
At the upcoming competition, fans will experience the excitement of seeing their basketball idols in the Land of Dawn. Valdenor said that even the players themselves are excited.
"The PBA players who participated told us that it was a great experience talaga. Nakakabitin! Nakaka-excite daw to play these games in front of the fans! The show match proved that esports is for everyone. We were able to bridge two different worlds: basketball and esports," he said.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the support that resulted to the success of Kings League Season One, and to our team in Dark League Studios who pushed themselves to the limits to make sure we make a mark in the realm of Esports," he added.
Valdenor also thanked the PBA and SBP officials who paved the way for the close partnership between the league and the esports organization.
"Thank you to Mr. Bobby Rosales for creating aspirations and opportunities for the grassroots esports development. Our team really admires his passion and dedication to bring esports in our country to the next level. [Thank you to ] Commissioner Willie Marcial for believing in the influence of esports to our country and supporting the next generation, [and] Mr. Alfrancis Chua for inspiring everyone in our team to be more creative and push ourselves to produce better esports ideas and implement it flawlessly."
He also thanked SBP chairman Al Panlilio for "inspiring the next generation to learn and participate on esports programs and create better community that promotes responsible gaming," as well as PBA chairman Ricky Vargas for fostering a spirit of collaboration to "expand and generate talents through esports grassroots programs."
The Dark League Studios head promised that the next season of the Kings League would return by the second quarter of 2023.
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