Philippines Prepares for Inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 in Riyadh: Team Lineups Revealed
Philippines Gears Up for Inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 in Riyadh
MANILA, Philippines – The excitement is palpable as various teams unveil their rosters for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026, set to take place in Riyadh this November. The biennial tournament promises to showcase top-tier talent across multiple game titles, with the Philippines fielding competitive representatives in Valorant, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Chess, Dota 2, and Honor of Kings.
On June 21, the Philippines confirmed its qualification for the main stage, with both the Valorant and League of Legends teams securing their spots. As the countdown to Riyadh begins, fans are eager to see how Filipino players will perform on the international stage.
Valorant: Aiming for Glory
The Philippine Valorant team earned a direct invite to the ENC main stage, finishing ninth in the ENC Valorant rankings with 4,875 points. The roster boasts a mix of seasoned sharpshooters, including:
- Adrian “Invy” Reyes (Paper Rex)
- Jhian “Zeus” Vega (Team Secret)
- Xavier “xavi8k” Juan (Global Esports)
- Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza (Global Esports)
- Brheyanne “Wild0reoo” Reyes (ex-Team Secret)
- Kelly “KellyS” Sedillo (Team Secret)
The team will be led by Head Coach Jose “Rbtx” Jamir (Team Secret). The Valorant tournament is scheduled from November 8 to 15.
League of Legends: A Strong Contender
The League of Legends team, primarily composed of players from West Point Esports, qualified through the Southeast Asia and Oceania qualifiers. The roster includes:
- Reven “Relhia” Aloi (West Point Academy)
- Joshua “Devoured” Escucharo (West Point Esports)
- Cherv Zildjan “Cherb” Dorado (West Point Academy)
- Jan “Cresho” Hortizuela (ex-West Point Academy)
- Kyle “Dawn” Somera (ex-Liyab Esports)
Head Coach Ralph Andrei “Leathergoods” Llabres will guide the team as they compete from November 21 to 29.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang: A Powerhouse in the Making
The Philippines is expected to field a formidable Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team, following impressive performances in international tournaments. While the lineup is yet to be finalized, the country currently leads the ENC MLBB Rankings with 11,200 points, ahead of Indonesia’s 7,100 points. Notable players include:
- Karl Gabriel “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno
- Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz
- Alston “Sanji” Pabico
- David Charles “Flap” Canon
- Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol
- Grant Duane “Kelra” Pillas
- Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano
Head Coach Francis John “Ducky” Glindro will lead the team, with the tournament set for November 23 to 29.
Chess: Aiming for the Prize
In the chess arena, two Filipino athletes are set to compete for a share of the $600,000 prize pool. Deniel Causo received a direct invite, while Paulo Bersamina secured his spot through qualifiers. The chess tournament will run from November 2 to 8.
Dota 2: Competing for a Spot
The Philippine Dota 2 team, aiming for one of two qualification slots, features players such as:
- Eljohn “Akashi” Andales (Execration)
- Abed “Abed” Yusop (Virtus.pro)
- Polo “Raven” Fausto (OG)
- Mark Jubert “Shanks” Redira (Execration)
- Bryle “cml” Alvizo (Execration)
- Mc Nicholson “Mac” Villanueva (Ivory)
- Glenard “Rupido” Rugay (Yangon Galacticos)
The Dota 2 tournament is scheduled for November 2 to 8.
Honor of Kings: Aiming High
Currently ranked third in the ENC Honor of Kings standings, the Philippines is poised to secure one of the 12 direct invites. The initial lineup includes:
- Chammy “Chammy1” Nazarrea
- Dragon “Dragon” Dajao
- Charles Roman “Chazz” Esguerra
- Karl Ken “Karlll” Bautista
- Miguel Klarenz “Miggie” Banaag
Head Coach Gerald Gianne “Tgee” Gelacio will lead the team, with the tournament set for November 24 to 29.
As the ENC 2026 approaches, the Philippines is ready to showcase its esports prowess on a global stage. Fans can stay updated on team lineups and tournament developments as the competition draws near.