Philippine squad beats top college teams from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore in historic Samsung-sponsored tournament
JAKARTA, Indonesia – 7 June, 2025 – The esports world just witnessed something special. For the first time ever, college students from across Southeast Asia battled it out in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and it was the Philippines' NU Bulldogs who walked away with the crown—and a hefty $18,000 prize.
The Galaxy Gaming Academy x Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Campus Series 2025 wrapped up last month at Jakarta's Taman Anggrek Mall, dubbed the "esports shopping mall," after three days of intense competition. What started with over 1,000 teams from four countries ultimately came down to eight elite squads fighting for their share of the $40,000 prize pool.
This wasn't just another tournament—it was a game-changer for collegiate esports in the region. Samsung Electronics teamed up with MOONTON Games to create the first-ever inter-country MLBB Campus Series, bringing together the brightest student gamers from Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore.
"Samsung is deeply committed to empowering the next generation of esports talent across Southeast Asia," said Carl Nordenberg, VP of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and Oceania. The tech giant didn't just sponsor the event—they provided cutting-edge Galaxy S25 Ultra devices to ensure every competitor had professional-level gaming performance.
The Road to Victory
The NU Bulldogs' journey to the top wasn't easy. The tournament kicked off with open registration in March, followed by domestic qualifiers across all four countries through May. Indonesia even held an additional offline national competition to select their representatives.
[Image: First runners up - FAITH NOVUS Bravehearts team from the Philippines]
When the dust settled, FAITH NOVUS Bravehearts from the Philippines claimed second place and $8,000, while Indonesia's VL Team rounded out the podium with $5,000 for third place.
"Taking home the championship title is beyond what we imagined when we first registered," said Patrick Balanquit, coach for the NU Bulldogs. "Playing against the best campus teams from Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore has made us all better players and showed us the incredible depth of talent in our region."
More Than Just Gaming
What made this tournament special wasn't just the competition—it was the ecosystem Samsung and MOONTON Games created around it. Representatives from professional esports teams like Dewa United, Onic, EVOS, and Team Liquid were on hand, turning the event into a legitimate scouting ground for the next generation of pro players.
Ray Ng, Head of Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, emphasized how this partnership aligns with their commitment to building a strong foundation for aspiring gamers. "We thank Samsung for this partnership and the Galaxy Gaming Academy that successfully showcased their commitment in the gaming and esports ecosystem while encouraging esports development and student participation across the region."
A New Standard for College Esports
The success of this inaugural tournament has set a new benchmark for collegiate esports in Southeast Asia. The level of play was impressive—teams displayed advanced tactical understanding, mechanical skill, and coordinated gameplay that you'd typically see at professional levels.
The comprehensive three-stage structure, from open registration to the Jakarta finals, has created a blueprint that other regions can follow. It's shown that with proper structure, technology support, and community engagement, campus-level esports can achieve professional-quality standards while keeping that passionate collegiate spirit alive.
For students across Southeast Asia, this tournament proved that esports isn't just a hobby—it's a legitimate pathway to professional careers. The Galaxy Gaming Academy x MLBB Campus Series 2025 has officially put college esports on the map, and if this first edition is any indication, the future looks incredibly bright for student gamers in the region.
The next generation of esports stars might just be sitting in lecture halls right now, waiting for their chance to shine on the big stage.
- PakChaq Riq
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