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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider United City FC ventures into esports, partners with Bren

United City FC ventures into esports, partners with Bren

Published Jun 28, 2021 02:44 pm

Jab Escutin, COO of BrenPro (left), and Eric M. Gottschalk, CEO of UCFC, formalize their partnership during the launch of the UCFC Esports division. Photo release

Four-time Philippines Football League (PFL) champion United City Football Club is seeking to make its mark in the growing esports industry as it unveiled its UCFC Esports division on Monday, June 28.

"The global growth of esports has been tremendous, and we are fortunate that the Philippines' esports scene is growing rapidly, which paves a great path for us to take on this venture," said Eric Gottschalk, CEO of United City FC which is currently competing in the top-tier AFC Champions League.

Formerly known as Ceres Negros FC, the local football powerhouse will field teams in FIFA 2021, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, League of Legends: Wild Rift and Valorant.

The New Clark City-based club tapped the white label esports management services of BrenPro Inc., the corporation that owns and manages Bren Esports which is one of the leading esports organizations in Southeast Asia.

Like UCFC, Bren is a championship-caliber organization, having won numerous titles most notably in the M2 World Championship and MPL Philippines Season 6 in Mobile Legends.

"We tapped BrenPro's esports management services as we identified them to be the right partners for us to create and develop champions which will allow us to emulate our success in football," said Gottschalk.

"Our formula for success is that we instill excellence in every step of the way which enables us to groom and develop future esports champions," said Bernard Lu Chong, CEO of Bren Esports. "We are definitely committed and confident that we can guide and shape UCFC Esports to be a leading esports contender not just locally but globally."

It was a groundbreaking development as it was the first time that a Filipino football club partnered with an established esports organization and entered the booming industry.

Gottschalk added that they are planning to bring their esports advocacy to New Clark City as well as in Pampanga and Tarlac as part of their partnership announced two weeks ago.

"We are further excited to bring professional gaming (esports) with us as part of our LGU partnership with New Clark City and the Pampanga and Tarlac regions--a sport that has seen tremendous growth, support and interest by the local communities."

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United City FC Football x Esports bren esports
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