Philippines tops Esports Nations Cup rankings as star-studded MLBB roster earns direct invite

The Philippines will enter the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026 as the team to beat in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang after securing the top seed and a direct invitation to the tournament’s finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Esports Foundation confirmed the 16 nations that qualified directly through the ENC Rankings, a points system based on players’ performances in international and regional tournaments. The Philippines leads the standings with 12,550 points, ahead of Indonesia, Myanmar, Türkiye, and Cambodia.

The seven-man Philippine roster brings together some of the country’s most accomplished MLBB players. The core consists of Karl Gabriel “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz, and Alston “Sanji” Pabico from Team Liquid PH, joined by David “FlapTzy” Canon and Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano of Team Falcons PH. Completing the lineup are substitutes Duane “Kelra” Pillas and Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol, both currently with ONIC Esports in Indonesia.

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The selection also reunites several players who have defined Philippine MLBB over the past few years. KarlTzy, Jaypee, and Sanji have formed the backbone of Team Liquid PH since the organization’s acquisition of the former ECHO roster in 2024, adding multiple domestic titles and international trophies to their resumes.

FlapTzy and Super Marco add another championship-caliber pairing from Team Falcons PH, giving the national squad a roster built almost entirely from players who have already competed on the biggest international stages. Kelra and Kairi provide incredible depth, with Kairi continuing to compete in Indonesia as one of the country’s most successful overseas Filipino MLBB professionals.

The roster also heads into ENC with unfinished business.

The Esports Foundation noted that Team Liquid PH’s campaign at the Mid Season Cup (MSC) at the Esports World Cup 2026 ended well below expectations. Entering as defending champions, the team failed to win a match and was eliminated in the group stage, while Team Falcons PH also fell short of lifting the trophy. ENC 2026 now gives much of that same core an opportunity to respond under the Philippine flag.

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Unlike club tournaments, the Esports Nations Cup brings together players based on nationality rather than organization. For the Philippines, that means combining stars from rival MPL Philippines teams into a single lineup, a formula that has long excited fans whenever international national team competitions are discussed.

The Philippines will not have an easy path despite entering as the top-ranked nation. Indonesia, Myanmar, Türkiye, and Cambodia all received direct invitations, while the remaining 16 slots will be filled through regional online qualifiers beginning August 15. Teams from Southeast Asia and Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and East Asia will compete for the remaining places in the 32-team tournament.

The inaugural Esports Nations Cup will be held in Riyadh from November 2 to 29, with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang serving as one of the competition’s featured titles.