Some of the largest and most credible esports companies and personalities in the Philippines have come together under the revamped banner of the Philippine Esports Organization (PeSO). Backed by PLDT mobile subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc., PESO is comprised of the most recognizable names in Philippine esports, including Bren Esports, Gariath Concepts, Mineski Philippines, The Nationals, PlayBook Esports, Tier One Entertainment, TV5, and TNC Holdings.

PeSO has the distinction of being the sole organization accredited by the International Esports Federation (IESF) since 2012. PeSO’s member organizations had previously worked together under the banner of the Esports National Association of the Philippines (ESNAP) and the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Esports Union (PSEU) for the successful staging of the first ever esports event in the SEA Games held in the Philippines in 2019.

The AESF had sanctioned the PSEU to execute the SEA Games esports tournament. In March 2020, AESF also signed in March 2020 a landmark agreement with the IESF in which the IESF recognizes AESF as the sole federation for esports in Asia, while the AESF acknowledges the IESF as the sole international federation for esports.

To kick off this significant milestone, PeSO will be mounting the Philippine Qualifiers for the 12th IESF World Championship to be held in Eliat, Israel in December. This year’s Philippine Qualifiers will be an online format, featuring DOTA2 and Tekken 7. Team Sibol’s Andreij “PBE.Doujin” Albar took him the bronze medal in last year’s IESF World Championships, and PeSO is confident that this time, Team Sibol can match, if not exceed, last year’s contingent’s performance and standing.
 
"With the support of Smart Communications, there is no doubt that we are in a stronger position to place in this year’s IESF World Championships,” said Brian Lim, president of PeSO. “Smart’s commitment to support and grow esports and the national team, Sibol, is crucial and is definitely appreciated.”

"Our goal is to continue leading the way to bring glory to Philippine esports. After supporting Team Sibol in the 2019 SEA Games, Smart reaffirms its commitment to the esports industry by looking for the next members of Team Sibol who will represent the Philippines in the IESF World Championships," said Jane Jimenez Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

PeSO has also applied for accreditation from the Philippine Olympic Committee to be the official National Sports Association (NSA) for the Philippines, giving it the main responsibility to govern and develop esports nationwide. PeSO’s application for NSA accreditation is bolstered by the unified presence of the biggest and most credible collection of esports stakeholders in the Philippines, who have tirelessly worked towards the industry’s growth and betterment since the early 2000s.

The search for the newest members of Team Sibol starts this September 2020. Details on the Philippine Qualifiers for the 12th IESF World Championship will be announced through the PeSO Facebook Page. TV5 and Cignal, who have been strong advocates of esports on Philippine airwaves, will air the Philippines Qualifiers on One Sports and One Sports Plus.



For more info on the Philippine Esports Organization (PEsO), visit the following links:

1. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/philesports/
2. Website (under construction): https://www.esports.com.ph