Aiming to raise awareness on wildlife conservation, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines forged a partnership for the advocacy-driven Season 7 tournament which will start on March 19.
MPL Philippines has been involved in charity works and fundraising events for various non-profit organizations especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This marked the first time though that the MPL-PH engaged in an environmental conservation initiative as it pledged to help WWF PH in its goal of reversing the rapid degradation of the environment.
Recognizing the unrivaled potential of the youth in the gaming industry, the WWF partnered with the MPL-PH to spur positive behavioral change towards the environment.
Each of the 10 participating teams chose its own animal species to champion in the upcoming season.
Reigning world and MPL king Bren Esports went for the great white shark while last season's runner-up and M2 participant Smart Omega selected the sea turtle.
Season 6 bronze finisher Execration had the whale shark, fourth-placer Onic PH had the tamaraw, Aura PH had the Tiger, Blacklist International had the giant panda, Nexplay Solid had the pangolin and Cignal Ultra had the Philippine eagle.
Season 7 qualifiers Work Auster Force and Laus Playbook Esports picked the Philippine crocodile and polar bear, respectively.
Bren will begin its title defense against Onic, Aura, Cignal and Work in Group A while Omega will take on Execration, Blacklist, NXP and PBE in Group B.
The eight-week group stage will run until May 19 followed by the All-Star Weekend on May 22 and 23, and the two-week playoffs which include the Grand Finals on May 29-30 and June 5-6.