National University finally earned redemption as the Bulldogs dethroned De La Salle University, 2‑1, to capture their first UAAP Esports Mobile Legends: Bang Bang championship on Wednesday at MVP Studios in Mandaluyong City.
NU entered the finals with something to prove after La Salle swept them, 2‑0, in the group stage and denied them the title last season. This time, however, the Bulldogs seized the moment when it mattered most.
Head coach Ernest Del Rosario said the championship carried extra weight for a team that had turned past setbacks into motivation.
“For me, the championship is something very sentimental for the team,” Del Rosario said. “As a coach who just joined, I saw how hard they worked, especially after losing last season. Then we lost again in the last series before the semifinals. Now, I think the difference was day and night. We became focused. We locked in to get the championship.”
Bulldogs Set the Tone Early
The Bulldogs struck first in Game 1, racing to a 9‑1 kill advantage by the eighth minute behind Johann Estacio’s four kills and five assists. La Salle managed to steal the lord shortly after, but NU stayed in control and closed out the opener in just 14 minutes, with Estacio securing a Savage in the final team fight.
The Green Archers responded in Game 2, adjusting their draft and building a lead of up to 8,000 gold. They forced a decider after taking the second match in 17 minutes.
NU, however, saved its best for last.
Estacio was picked off early in Game 3, with Joshua Tating scoring a double kill in a top‑lane ambush. The NU star quickly recovered and dominated the deciding game, finishing with eight kills, three assists, and just one death. The Bulldogs sealed the championship in only 13 minutes, finally overcoming their struggles against La Salle.
Estacio was named Grand Finals MVP after spearheading NU’s title run.
“For me, the MVP isn’t a big deal because we’ve been teammates for a long time, so I think the win was really about the team,” Estacio said. “But I’m still thankful for the award, which even my parents didn’t expect.”
Road to the Finals
The newly minted champs reached the championship after sweeping the University of the Philippines, 2‑0, in the semifinals. La Salle had to rally past Adamson University, 2‑1, to set up a rematch of last season’s title series. Adamson and UP, both making their first semifinal appearances, settled for bronze.
What’s Next
UAAP Esports action continues with the VALORANT Tournament, which resumes on Monday, August 31, at NAOS Arena in DoubleDragon Plaza, Pasay City.
