NU Bulldogs Triumph at XCC 2025 PH Finals
NU Bulldogs Triumph at XCC 2025 PH Finals
Epic Showdown at Ayala Malls Market! Market!
The atmosphere at Ayala Malls Market! Market! on June 28 was electric. Thousands of fans packed the venue. Phones in hand. Jerseys on. They came to witness the National Finals of the Infinix Campus Cup (XCC) Philippines. The noise floor never dipped. Screens flashed every highlight. Shoutcasters Burrito and Wolf Casts narrated every clash with infectious energy. When the final Elder Dragon fell, cheers shook the rafters. This was more than a game. It was a spectacle. A celebration of collegiate esports in the Philippines.
From Hundreds to Two: The Road to Finals
XCC Philippines 2025 began as the Infinix University League—your average campus tournament with local buzz. Over weeks, it morphed into a nationwide battleground. Hundreds of teams from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao entered. Only sixteen made the Playoffs. Then eight. Then four. And finally, two: NU Bulldogs and DLSU Green Aces. Both teams dominated their group stages—each boasting a 5-0 record in Best-of-3 series. They perfected drafts, honed execution, and fine-tuned synergy. When they met in the Best-of-7 Grand Finals, the stakes could not have been higher.
NU Bulldogs Rise as National Champions
Game One set the tone. Bulldogs’ off-meta support pick caught the Aces off-guard. A snappy Baron steal turned the map. DLSU tried to respond in Game Two—trading objective control for vision advantage—but the Bulldogs adapted on the fly. Game Three saw a textbook comeback from the Aces, but that was their lone victory. By Game Four, the Bulldogs’ signature coordinated teamfights crushed enemy momentum. Their late-game resilience in Games Five and Six sealed the deal. Final score: 4-1. NU Bulldogs celebrated with hugs, tears, and gleeful screams. They clinched the XCC PH Nationals 2025 crown.
Road to the XCC Regional Grand Finals
Victory in Manila is only half the story. Next stop: the XCC Regional Grand Finals on July 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. The Bulldogs will face champions from Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Malaysia—each team hungry for regional glory. It’s a whirlwind transition: from the nationwide stage to the international spotlight in under a week. The stakes? Bragging rights over Southeast Asia’s collegiate scene, and a hefty prize pool. The Bulldogs are packing extra practice scrims, mental-coaching sessions, and nutrition plans. Pressure mounts. But so does confidence.
A Fully-Loaded Esports Festival
XCC’s Philippine Finals wasn’t just about matches. It was a full-fledged fan fest. Hosts Hans Galeria and Brigida kept the tempo high with interactive games. Cosplayers decked out as favorite MLBB heroes roamed the floor. Aurora Gaming, one of the Philippines’ top professional MLBB outfits, dropped by for a showmatch. They faced off against four lucky Infinix fans in a spirited 3v3 showdown that blurred the line between pros and amateurs. Meanwhile, raffle draws announced winners of the Infinix GT 30 Pro and a premium TT Racing Gaming Chair—prizes that felt almost as epic as clutch kills.
Talent Spotlight: Brust and Wolf Casts
No esports event is complete without its voices. Burrito and Wolf Casts stepped in to hype every play. Their synergy is unmatched. Burrito’s rapid-fire calls—“Double kill! Triple kill!”—meshed perfectly with Wolf Casts’ analytical breakdowns. Together, they turned complex macro moves into digestible thrills for casual viewers. Their commentary resonates within the community. It’s why so many local streamers imitate their style. At XCC, they weren’t just narrators. They were co-pilots guiding fans through every dragon rush and clash.
Building the Next Generation of Esports Pros
XCC Philippines is more than a tournament. It’s a proving ground. It grooms student gamers, equipping them with stage experience, high-pressure decision-making, and teamwork under duress. University Esports clubs across the country have leveled up their infrastructures: dedicated gaming rooms, coaching frameworks, even physical training regimens. Infinix’s support funds scholarships and campus esports labs, nurturing both skill and academic achievement. For many players, XCC is the first step toward pro contracts or streaming careers. It’s where raw talent meets real opportunity.
Fans Fuel the Fire
Fans are the heartbeat of XCC. Onlookers waved light sticks. They choreographed chants. Social media exploded with memes of clutch plays. Hashtags like #XCC2025PH and #GoBulldogs trended for days. Fan art flooded forums. Vlogs documented travel stories—from Leyte to Laguna—for the Finals. Their passion elevates the event. Organizers know this. That’s why they integrated fan zones with merch booths, mini-tournaments, and photo-op stations. Every attendee became part of the story, not just a spectator.
What’s Next for Collegiate Esports?
The success of XCC Philippines 2025 underscores esports’ momentum on campus. Next up: varsity recognition. Several universities are drafting proposals to treat esports as official athletic programs, complete with funding and even gym equipment tailored for competitive gaming. Further integration of academic credit and sports science means esports athletes will train like traditional sports stars. If these pilots succeed, expect more schools to join XCC next year, possibly expanding to include other titles like Valorant and Wild Rift.
Looking Forward to July 6
July 6 is the date to bookmark. At the Regional Grand Finals, the NU Bulldogs will clash with the best from across Southeast Asia. It’s the crescendo of a season-long narrative that started in dorm rooms and ended on a Manila Esports stage. The next chapter will be written under MOA’s cavernous lights. Will the Bulldogs roar again? Or will a new regional champion emerge? Everyone in Philippine esports will be watching.
For more updates on Infinix’s latest gaming innovations and upcoming esports events, follow Infinix Philippines on their official Facebook page and join the Infinix Community group.
