Esports bets out of medal race

SIBOL’s 20th Asian Games campaign came to an abrupt end on Wednesday after a stunning quarterfinal loss to regional rival Indonesia in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Esports event at Aichi Sky Expo Hall in Japan. The Philippines, represented by the core of three-time MPL Philippines champion Team Liquid, was off to a rough start as Indonesia’s aggressive start repeatedly disrupted Sibol’s plans throughout the series. “We made way too many errors, and I think we weren’t able to play our actual game. I didn’t expect that we would lose,” said Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno. The Philippines endured a rough start as Indonesia seized Game 1, 22-19. Sibol, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, countered and evened the best-of-three series, 14-5, in Game 2. But Sibol failed to find its footing in Game 3, as the Indonesians took control and closed out the match, 12-6. Composing the MLBB squad are Nepomuceno, Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya, Alston “Sanji” Pabico, Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz, Dave “Teddy” Viana and Duane “Kelra” Pillas. Earlier in the day, Sibol’s Identity V squad also saw its Asian Games bid end also in a 0-2 quarterfinals loss to Malaysia…