Philippine volleyball fans can expect a different kind of event for a good cause as several volleyball players from the Premier Volleyball League, UAAP and NCAA will vie for the bragging rights in the first Mobile Legends: Bang Bang volleyball esports charity tournament starting this Sunday, organized by DoubleTap Gaming Entertainment and Sports Bytes Philippines.
DoubleTap Gaming Entertainment President Onin Dela Paz and Sports Bytes Philippines host Thea Cenarosa graced the weekly TOPS Usapang Sports On Air forum today.
Cenarosa, team captain of the National Netball Team, explains that the concept of the two-Sunday long charity event started out while interviewing two BaliPure players during the Sports Bytes PH show with Brian Yalung and Rica Aquino. They found out that the BaliPure players started playing ML as a form of hobby and team bonding during the pandemic.
“Nag-come up kami na why not magcompete yung mga volleyball teams and make it a charity work, i mean parang yung something kumbaga maging maka-contribute at the same time nageenjoy ang lahat.”, Cenarosa said.
Among the teams that would be competing in the event are the teams that are undergo bubble training in the PVL such as BaliPure, Petro Gazz, Sta. Lucia, PLDT, Chery Tiggo and UAC and collegiate squads San Beda, Lyceum, and UP.
Dela Paz also pointed out that their event’s mission is to not just entertain and satisfy the growing volleyball fandom while waiting for the PVL season to begin, but at the same time, helping the medical frontliners in their battle against the COVID-19 virus.
He also identifies Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina and San Juan Medical Center in San Juan as the primary beneficiaries of the charity event with Smart Communication and Sta. Lucia Realty are the main sponsors along with the third hospital beneficiary, to be announced soon.
The single round eliminations and quarterfinals will happen on June 27, while the semifinals and finals will be staged on July 4, and it would be streamed live via the Facebook pages of DoubleTap Gaming Entertainment PH, Sports Bytes and Smart Sports.
