Lone Filipino team Demigod Incognito came through with a fairly impressive debut in the PUBG Mobile Pro League Season 3-Southeast Asia Spring Championship over the weekend.
Despite still lacking sponsors and bootcamp, Demigod fought hard and put up 109 points after 18 matches to finish 11th in its first participation in the 16-team regional tournament featuring professional squads from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia.
Composed of Christian “Kri” Labajo, Charles Louie “Chi” Laureta, Jenhiel “Wam” Bodaño, Kevin “Kvn” Amor, Jann Neil "Bunny" Espartero and Seth Elzen “Kamaru” Agbon under team manager Fox and coach IC Mayoc Pingaron, Demigod also took a $4,500 (over P216,000) prize.
"Ang pagsali sa PMPL ay isang malaking karangalan habang dala mo ang bandera ng Pinas. 'Di biro ang makapasok sa PMPL (Playing in the PMPL is an honor especially we're carrying the Philippine flag. It's not easy to enter this league)," captain-sniper Chi told Manila Bulletin in an online interview.
"Not bad for a first timer dahil kahit na low-end devices gamit namin at nasa bahay lang kami naglalaro ay ang layo ng narating namin (Not for first timer because even though we're using low-end devices and only playing in our respective homes, we still reached this far)," chimed Wam.
Seemingly affected by rookie jitters, Fox's crew fell to a flat start as they only managed to get a best finish of fourth place in Map 3-Erangel across the first six rounds in the tournament opener last Friday, May 21.
Kri, the PUBGM Club Open Spring Split SEA Wild Card top fragger, and his company bounced back from an opening day slump by posting podium finishes in Map 7-Sanhok (2nd place), Map 9-Erangel (3rd) and Map 12 (3rd) on Saturday.
However, Demigod came up short in the closing six rounds on Sunday, taking only a fourth-place finish at best in Map 14-Miramar.
"We're clearly the underdogs of the competition. That's why I'm so proud of them even if they just reached 11th place. They never gave up. Our team is going back next season stronger and wiser," said manager Fox.
It could be remembered that Demigod made it to the PMPL after ruling the PMCO SEA Wild Card last April despite having no sponsors and a bootcamp.
The Infinity of Thailand was crowned champion with 239 points and won the $32,000 top prize while EVOS Reborn of Indonesia ended up second with 189 points for $21,000.