Ever since Esports joined the SEA Games lineup, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang men’s national team has owned the competition, securing back-to-back-to-back golds in 2019, 2021 and 2023 editions. After years of dominance, all eyes are now set on the 2025 roster to defend the crown.
Team Sibol will be bannered by the reigning MSC and MPL Philippines champions, Team Liquid Philippines. The powerhouse roster features jungler and two-time M-Series champion Karl “Karltzy” Nepomuceno, who is set for his second SEA Games appearance after steering the 2019 national team to a dominant campaign capped by a thrilling 3–2 finals victory over Indonesia for the country’s historic first gold in the sport.
Joining him are EXP laner Sanford Vinuya and mid-laner Alston “Sanji” Pabico, both four-time MPL PH champions, along with their star gold laner and multi-time MPL PH titleholder, Kiel “Oheb” Soriano. Rounding out the lineup are two of the best roamers in the country: Jaypee, fresh off a Finals MVP performance for TLPH in MPL Season 16 and Caloy, who delivered a standout rookie season and helped TWIS reach the playoffs for the first time.
They will be facing equally formidable challengers in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar. The Myanmar national team will feature the core of Team Falcon—the same squad that pushed ONIC Philippines to a hard-fought 3–2 victory in M6 before eventually finishing in fifth to sixth place. Malaysia, meanwhile, will be led by a very familiar foe in SRG OG, the MSC 2024 champions and MSC 2025 runners-up. Team Liquid Philippines had fought them multiple times, including stopping their historic 126-day win streak and also defeating them convincingly, 4–1, in this year’s MSC. However, this time, SRG OG will look different as they enter the tournament without their two Filipino imports, Kramm and Innocent. On the other hand, long-time rival Indonesia will be represented by Team Liquid ID, although their roster has not performed at its best after finishing last in the most recent MPL Indonesia Season.
The men’s national team enters this year’s showdown with every key advantage. TLPH is one, if not the longest-tenured lineup in the competition, carrying the experience and proven chemistry built through years of playing together. The team is also in the midst of a dominant run this year. Combined with their individual brilliance, Team Sibol should be well-positioned to once again take control of the tournament.
The women’s national team, on the other hand, will be represented by NAVI PH, consisting of EXP-laner Gwyneth “Ayanami” Diagon, jungler Kaye “Keishi” Alpuerto, roamer Mery Christine “Meraaay” Vivero, mid-laner Rica “Amoree” Amores, and gold laners Sheen “Shinoa” Perez and Clarisse Nicole “Cla” Cordova from TLPH. They previously competed for the Philippines in the 2023 edition under the Smart Omega Empress banner but fell to Indonesia in the finals.
The tournament will run from December 13 to 17.
