The road to the Asian Games for SIBOL begins with two titles outside the Philippines’ usual esports spotlight.
The Philippine national esports team opens its Aichi-Nagoya 2026 campaign this week with Naraka: Bladepoint and Puyo Puyo Champions at Aichi Sky Expo, before its four other medal events take the stage later in the Games. The esports competition runs from September 23 to October 2.
Richard Espejo, Von Teñoso, Kenneth Perez, and Joaquin Paclibar will represent the Philippines in Naraka, with Paclibar also competing in the solo event. Karl Gonzalvo, meanwhile, begins his Puyo Puyo Champions campaign on September 24.
SIBOL enters unfamiliar Naraka territory
SIBOL’s Naraka squad faces Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Chinese Taipei in Group B, with the top two teams advancing to the semifinals.
The Philippines will compete in Martial Artist Mode, a departure from Naraka’s more familiar battle royale format that puts greater emphasis on direct combat and individual fighting ability. The event is scheduled for September 24 at Aichi Sky Expo.
Paclibar, who serves as the team’s reserve, said the squad is confident in its preparation despite the format change.
“We always meet these people in NetEase online tournaments, but the difference this time is that it’s not Battle Royale, so it’s more about pure fighting skills.”
The captain added that the team has focused not only on its in-game preparation but also on being ready mentally, emotionally, and physically for the Asian Games stage.
For a country more accustomed to seeing SIBOL compete in titles such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Honor of Kings, Naraka represents a different kind of challenge—and an opportunity for its players to make an immediate impression.
Gonzalvo brings years of Puyo Puyo experience
Gonzalvo will have a similarly difficult road in Puyo Puyo Champions.
The 29-year-old content creator-turned-national athlete was drawn into Group A alongside hosts Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Hong Kong.
Japan presents a particularly familiar but daunting backdrop for the Filipino representative. Puyo Puyo has deep roots in the country through developer and publisher SEGA, while the Japanese scene has produced players with extensive experience in the game.
Gonzalvo, however, is hardly new to Puyo Puyo himself. He has played the puzzle game since he was 12, giving him nearly two decades of experience heading into his Asian Games debut.
“There is pressure both from representing the country and from the game itself, since Puyo Puyo requires quick decision-making and precision,” Gonzalvo said.
But the opportunity carries a different kind of weight for the veteran player.
“Luckily, I get to represent the Philippines while playing one of my childhood video games — it’s a dream come true to carry the flag.”
Two unfamiliar titles, one national team
Naraka and Puyo Puyo may not command the same following in the Philippines as the country’s established esports titles, but their inclusion gives SIBOL another chance to expand its footprint beyond the usual competitive staples.
The Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) selected the representatives after evaluating available tournament data and player profiles, with SIBOL general manager Jab Escutin saying the organization believes both teams can compete at the Asian Games.
“Selecting a national team for titles that are relatively new to Philippine gamers requires careful evaluation,” Escutin said.
The Philippines will eventually compete in six esports titles at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, with Pokémon Unite, Honor of Kings, Identity V, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang joining Naraka and Puyo Puyo. The esports program features 11 medal events across 11 titles at the Games.
For now, however, SIBOL’s Asian Games campaign starts with a swordsman and a puzzle player.
And both get their chance to set the tone for the Philippines in Japan.
