Lyceum of the Philippines University is glad to be at the forefront of the current esports scene brought by the Collegiate Center of Esports.
The Pirates ruled the recently concluded and first-ever 5v5 Mobile Legends Invitational Varsity Cup – something that LPU athletics director Hercules Callanta sees as a step in the right direction in terms of breaking the stigma often connected to playing online games.
“It’s a big thing but we still have a lot of work to do. It’s definitely a good push for the campaign to improve the acceptance of esports,” said Callanta following LPU’s championship run.
The Pirates composed of Yancy Remulla, Lorenzo Navarro, Alvin Baetiong, Carlo Abadeza and Shawn Umali worked its way to the Grand Finals through the lower bracket and went on to slay the Mapua University Cardinals, 4-2, to bag the MVC crown.
“There is a stigma in terms of esports as far as the students are concerned. There must be programs that should address this particular stigma so that it can be resolved and can help the athletes come up with academic excellence,” added Callanta whose LPU pioneered the official esports college program in the country.
LPU along with nine other member schools is currently active in discovering and recruiting talents to make up its official Mobile Legends team for the inaugural regular season of the Varsity Cup while also having the chance to study as the schools' scholars.
Callanta expressed his optimism that the CCE can be a staple in the collegiate scene and can co-exist with the impending return of the mainstream sports next year.
“Esports will always have a place in the sports world today. The development will go on. It will not hurt to widen the base. Maybe aside from the existing esports events, there might be some short-term leagues as well to further keep the interest in esports alive as it is now,” said the amiable school official.