Several schools are already scrambling in preparation for the upcoming Collegiate Center for Esports (CCE) regular season.
With the CCE Mobile Legends 5-on-5 Varsity Cup (MVC) set to unfold next month, colleges and universities have already kicked off their search for a potent squad that will fly the flags of their respective institutions higher in the esports scene.
Unlike in the 1v1 Exhibition Match last month and the MVC which pitted varsity players, aspiring gamers that are enrolled to the participating schools will be the eligible ones to play in the regular season of CCE that streams on CALM Network with Alaxan FR, Bio-Agrownica, Rebel Sports Pilipinas, Tagaytay Pura Vida Resort and Hotel, and SMDC Malls as sponsors.
The sport may be different but the process of scrutiny in main collegiate events like basketball and volleyball also carry over to the Esports world through intense tryouts and scouting to assemble a capable team.
Getting a glimpse of the booming Esports through CCE now, Arellano University, St. Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jose Rizal University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Lyceum, Mapua University, San Beda University, San Sebastian College - Recoletos, and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA have launched steps in a hunt for the strongest possible Esports rosters.
In fact, Arellano this early has ongoing local tournaments in its different school branches with hopes of finding gaming gems.
“Sa kanila laro-laro lang noong una then it becomes a tournament. ‘Yung competitive skills ng students, tumatakbo. It’s a new talent that they can hone,” Arellano athletics director Peter Cayco said.
“’Yung popularity nandoon na. The students are seeing it as a chance to play in the big leagues someday.”
The CCE, led by president Edwin Chiong, beams with excitement for the growing support, interest and participation in Esports through the newly-established campus-based league that is aimed at further growing the sport from the collegiate ranks and up.
“We are delighted by the efforts of our beloved schools in this noble cause for Esports. It’s just the beginning and we look forward to the further growth and development down the road with the interest of our student-athletes remaining as the top priority,” Chong said.
CCE’s preparation for its official season-by-season calendar next year is already underway but prior to that, the participating schools first slug it out in the MVC set from Nov. 10 to 21 for the historic crown.
Perpetual looms as the slight favorite after Jasper Cuevas ruled the 1v1 Exhibition match but the nine other schools vow an all-out challenge for a huge momentum heading into the regular season.