In a nutshell

• Letran Knights clinched the first NCAA ML:BB Esports title, defeating JRU Heavy Bombers 3-1 in a dramatic grand finals rematch at PGDX 2025.
• Jade Michael Mercado named realme Finals MVP, leading Letran to victory and earning a realme 14 5G; the team also won a trip to Thailand Game Show.
• Historic debut for NCAA Esports, with Letran, JRU, and Mapúa securing podium finishes in a tournament organized alongside the Collegiate Center for Esports

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Philippines has concluded its first ML:BB Esports Tournament, with the Letran Knights claiming the championship after the hard-fought 3-1 victory over the JRU Heavy Bombers, on July 27, 2025, at the Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX) at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

This marks a historic milestone for Colegio de San Juan de Letran as the first-ever ML:BB esports champions.

“Sulit ‘yung pagod ng araw-araw na scrim, araw-araw na laro. Ngayon, sulit lahat ng oras at sakripisyo namin as a team.” said by John Marcus Loyola, the Letran Knights’ jungler. “Unang una, thank you kay God, thank you sa mga teammates ko, at sa lahat ng nagtulong-tulong mag-organize ng NCAA Esports. Sana matuloy pa ito”

PGDX 2025 NCAA esports Tournament Details

Both the Letran Knights and the JRU Heavy Bombers topped their respective groups at the Round Robin phase to earn a bye in the tournament held at PGDX 2025. They met first in the upper bracket final, with JRU defeating Letran in a 3-1 victory to claim the first grand finals slot. The Knights fought in the lower bracket final against the Mapúa Cardinals in a 3-1 score to earn a rematch for the title. In the end, it was Letran who rose above the competition, sealing the championship with a 3-1 victory over the team that dropped them in the bracket.

Letran Knights Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Roster:

• Jade Michael G. Mercado 
• John Marcus Malig Loyola 
• Aaron Jacob C. Corpuz 
• George Brent G. Imbang
• Philip Fonzy B. Acera, 
• Christian Alec D. San Diego
• Kenneth Mejillano – Coach
• Hans Steve Nieva  – Manager

With the victory, the team was awarded a trip to Thailand Game Show this coming October, courtesy of the NCAA Esports’ partner, Collegiate Center for Esports.

Jade Michael Mercado, the captain of Letran Knights, was also awarded as the realme Finals MVP, with his strong performance in the gold lane and his presence and leadership. With the honor, he was also awarded his very own realme 14 5G.

The JRU Heavy Bombers finished in 2nd Place in their Playoff run, while the Mapúa Cardinals finished in 3rd Place, completing the first-ever NCAA Esports podium finishers.

The Esports Tournament of the NCAA is organized in partnership with the Collegiate Center for Esports.

“We’d like to thank everyone who helped make this event possible. Matagal na naming pangarap ito para sa mga bata na nangangarap magkaroon ng career sa esports. Basta tuloy lang sila sa pagsikap sa pangarap nila, tuloy lang kami sa pagsuporta” said Stanley Lao, Founder of Collegiate Center for Esports, the organizing partner of the NCAA Season 100: Esports.