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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Esports devider SIBOL HOK punches ticket to Asian Games with third straight win in qualifiers

SIBOL HOK punches ticket to Asian Games with third straight win in qualifiers

Published Jun 18, 2026 11:27 pm

At A Glance

  • The SIBOL Honor of Kings national team is now bound for Nagoya, Japan after punching its ticket to 2026 Asian Games with a flawless run in the qualifiers at the Petaling Jaya Marriott Hotel on Wednesday, June 17.

The SIBOL Honor of Kings national team is now bound for Nagoya, Japan after punching its ticket to 2026 Asian Games with a flawless run in the qualifiers at the Petaling Jaya Marriott Hotel on Wednesday, June 17.

The Nationals swept Uzbekistan 2-0 to improve to a perfect 3-0 record in Group A and clinch a berth to the continental showpiece

Head coach Gerald Gelacio expressed his delight after the Filipinos locked up qualification ahead of a marquee showdown against regional rival Indonesia.

"Actually, sobrang saya namin kasi pasok na tayo sa Main Event. Isang karangalan para sa amin ang ma-represent ang Pilipinas sa Asian Games," said Gelacio.

Despite already securing qualification, SIBOL remains focused on finishing the qualifiers strongly when it faces regional rival Indonesia in its final group-stage match.

"Of course, 'yung approach namin going sa last match namin versus Team Indonesia is paghahandaan pa rin namin sila. May rivalry tayo versus them so papakita namin ang lakas ng Pinas," Gelacio added.

Unlike its previous outings, the Philippines faced its stiffest challenge of the qualifiers in Game 1, falling behind 2-1 in kills during the opening minutes against Uzbekistan.

SIBOL quickly wrested control of the match, however, as it flexed its might by taking six unanswered kills, punctuated by Chammy Paul Nazarrea's hot streak during a sixth-minute aggression in the top lane.

Midlaner Dragon Dajao then unveiled a double strike midway through the 10th minute as SIBOL capped off the opener with a decisive 5-for-0 Ace to secure the victory.

In Game 2, Jhon Mike Tungol finally made his debut for the national team in place of Dajao and quickly made his presence felt, as his early-game kill sparked SIBOL to a 5-0 kill lead late in the fifth minute.

The Philippine representatives never looked back, overwhelming the Uzbek side from start to finish en route to a flawless 12-0 kill scoreline in an emphatic eight-minute sweep.

Roamer Charles Roman Cruz Esguerra orchestrated much of the action with two kills and 10 assists, while Tungol impressed in his debut appearance with two kills and eight assists as SIBOL completed another commanding 2-0 victory.

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