Siege in the Online Realm: The Electronic Battlegrounds

Intramurals is that time of the year when the campus comes alive with the adrenaline of competition and the thrill of victory. Incorporating E-Sports (Electronic Sports) into this year’s intramurals added diversity to the range of activities available to the Velez community, bringing together students from different departments in the spirit of friendly rivalry and sportsmanship.

Two games were set - Mobile Legends (ML) and Call of Duty Mobile (CODM). Both games were done simultaneously in the EMVM Building last October 20, 2023.

Unlocking victory: Mobile Legends

The championship game for Mobile Legends (ML) was a battle between the Medtech Vikings and the Nursing Blue Knights. It was a thrilling 40 minutes comprising 3 rounds. The Vikings won the first round while the Knights won the second one. Throughout the simultaneous ML games between the different departments, the Medtech Vikings remained undefeated.

The final round was a very close match. With every minute passing by, the kills were more or less equal. Furthermore, both teams were doing their best to attack the opposing team’s base. It was an exchange of attacking and retreating during the last few minutes of the game. Finally, it ended when the Vikings destroyed the Knights’ base - making them the champions.

According to Brylle Busi, the team captain of the Vikings ML team, slaying the enemy by destroying their base was the most memorable part of his Intramurals. On the other hand, it was a different story for the opposing team. According to Spencer Cuenca, the team captain of the Knights ML team, the attacks were going back and forth and the anticipation was troubling, yet it was still an exciting game for them.

Both the team captains found an interest in Mobile Legends during the pandemic. Cuenca stated that although everyone in the Knights team were friends, it was difficult to train for the game itself considering the fact that a lot of the members had other sports. For the Vikings team, Busi said that the team he had were his friends who played with him during the pandemic. Hence, they are aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, making them a united team. The Knights intend to fight harder next year, intending to form a better bond with their future team. The Vikings, on the other hand, plan on strategizing better to keep the trophy and remain undefeated.

Deploying Strategies: Mastering Call of Duty

The virtual battlegrounds of CODM were set as the PTOT Spartans faced off against the NSG Blue Knights in a best-of-three championship battle.

The Spartans seized Game 1, setting the stage for a dramatic comeback by the Blue Knights in Game 2. Alexis Estella, the Blue Knights' captain, described their resolve, stating they "never gave up, even if it felt impossible to win." The decisive Game 3 centered around a thrilling match of HardPoint, culminating in a 150-90 victory for the PTOT Spartans, with GoodBoyFleeca as the MVP.

Glenn Lopez, the Spartans' team captain, attributed their victory to their unwavering determination, exclaiming "ATO NA NI!" to ignite their fighting spirit.

“It meant a lot for [sic] team to win the tournament as it showed who we are as individuals in the Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy,” Lopez stated. “That we fight until our last and giving up is [sic] never an option. Our hunger, our thirst, our dominance, and our triumphs, is [sic] what we are in the PTOT Department. We want to win in this Intramurals and we want to triumph over other departments."

Although the Blue Knights fell short of the championship, team captain Alexis Estella considered the companionship and memories formed during the competition a significant victory, a bond that will live throughout their college lives, and it being a motivation to come back even stronger next year.

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These championship events in both ML and CODM showcased the true spirit of competition and camaraderie within the gaming community. While the Vikings and the Spartans celebrated their victories, the Blue Knights found their triumph in the camaraderies and bonds formed. These tales of triumph and determination perfectly demonstrate the enduring appeal of e-sports in today's world.