Mobile Legends: Bang Bang successfully concluded its men's and women's medal events at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok, Thailand.
The five-day tournament crowned Team Philippines and Team Malaysia as gold medalists in the men's and women's categories, respectively, marking another milestone for esports on the regional sporting stage.
In the Women's category, Team Malaysia also clinched its first Gold, beating Team Philippines in their Bo7 Gold Medal match. With the score 4:3, they edged out Team Philippines, handing over its first and only match loss throughout the competition. Team Malaysia took home Bronze during the 32nd SEA Games event, while Team Philippines also bagged Silver.
The MLBB at the 33rd SEA Games unfolded in a near-identical trajectory for both the men and women categories. The Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar reached the semifinals with parallel matchups, as the Philippines defeated Indonesia and Malaysia overcame Myanmar to set up mirrored gold medal clashes between the Philippines and Malaysia. The bronze medal matches also followed the same fate, with Indonesia prevailing over Myanmar in both categories.
Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, President of the Philippine Olympic Committee, emphasised the significance of the Philippines' participation in MLBB events, including the 33rd SEA Games, and underscored the importance of treating esports on equal footing with traditional sports disciplines: "Kahit sa ibang events, wala tayong line up, pero dito, pinakita natin. It's an inspiration to our Filipino youth. Pare-parehas nagrerepresent ng bansa yan, kaya pare-parehas lang ang treatment natin. We're on the map. Di basta-basta ang pinapakita ng Pinoy sa esports."
As the developer and publisher behind MLBB, MOONTON Games has played a pivotal role in nurturing Southeast Asia's esports ecosystem. The company's sustained investment in competitive gaming infrastructure, from grassroots tournaments to professional leagues across the region, has created pathways for talented players to represent their nations on the international stage.
Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, said: "As the curtains close on MLBB's campaign at the 33rd SEA Games, this tournament leaves behind more than just medalists—it reinforces esports' place in the region's sporting future, one where digital and traditional disciplines compete on equal footing, united by national pride and the pursuit of excellence. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners who have brought this moment of pride home to their nations and inspired countless players across Southeast Asia. Seeing nearly every Southeast Asian nation field teams in both men's and women's categories is a testament to how deeply MLBB has embedded itself across the region. Our inclusion in the SEA Games as an official medal event for four consecutive years validates our approach to building sustainable, inclusive, and nationally significant esports competitions."
Santi Lothong, President of Thailand Esports Federation and Asian Electronic Sports Federation, shared: "Thailand is honoured to have hosted another successful chapter of MLBB at the SEA Games. Over these five days, we witnessed players from all walks of life unite for one goal, one gold. It has been exceptional to see what MLBB has truly evolved into, from a favourite pastime to a unifying platform that celebrates national identity and inspires the next generation. MOONTON Games' leadership and commitment to mobile esports excellence have set the standard for what competitive gaming can achieve on an international level. This success was echoed by millions of fans across the region who joined the tournament remotely to support not just their own countrymen, but the game itself. We look forward to continuing this momentum with MOONTON Games as the region's esports ecosystem matures."
MLBB's continued presence as an official medal event in major multi-sport events alongside long-established athletic disciplines reinforces the game's growing cultural and competitive relevance. MLBB is also set to be featured as a medal event in the 2026 Asian Games, reflecting its status as a premier mobile esports title known for its accessibility, strategic depth, and global appeal.
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