The most popular esports personality in the country is joining the PBA’s most popular ballclub.
Barangay Ginebra picked popular streamer and content creator and former MPL Philippines professional player Setsuna “Dogie” Ignacio as the first-ever No.1 overall pick in the PBA Esports Bakbakan draft on Monday, Feb. 13, at Robinsons Manila.
Loud cheers were heard from the crowd as Ginebra forward Christian Standhardinger announced the name of the former Nexplay EVOS figurehead as the first pick in the first round of the draft where teams got the chance to pick influencers to join the two PBA players from the team.
“First pick, first season syempre champion agad. Di ko bibiguin yung Ginebra. Makita ko lang si Christian, being part na Ginebra na ako. Super fan talaga ako ng Ginebra, thankful talaga ako na kinuha ako ng Ginebra. Naluluha ako kasi fan talaga ako ng Ginebra at sa mga kalaban ko wasak kayong lahat promise,” said the outspoken MPL Hall of Legends member.
Coming in second in the draft is former Smart Omega Esports star Billy “Z4pnu” Alfonso as he landed on the lap of TNT while Magnolia drafted Eric “Eruption” Tai at the third pick.
Minana Esports talent Lhea Bernardino was picked by Terrafirma at the fourth spot while Blackwater chose another popular streamer in Edgar “ChooxTV” Dumali for the fifth overall pick
MPL Philippine champions Renz “Pein” Reyes and Mico “Coco” Sampang, both member of the Aether Main squad that won the Season 1 title, were selected sixth and ninth by NLEX and Meralco, respectively, while also picked in between them were former MPL standout Reniel “Honda Beast” Encisa by Phoenix and Yuri Gaming by NorthPort.
Okata was selected at ninth by Rain or Shine and former pro Raven “L3bron” Alonzo joined Converge. One-time MPL champion Elyson “Wrecker” Caranza was picked by another champion franchise in San Miguel to complete the first round.
Joining the two PBA players and influencers are three fans from the pool filtered by Dark League Studios along with one representative from the academe.