The Filipino esports scene has come a long way. A few years back, esports tournaments were hosted in tiny cafes where players were paid meager amounts. A few years later, the players are earning millions of dollars in mega-events held in massive arenas with thousands of roaring fans. With this growth, several Filipino players have emerged and become household names.
These players have competed in some of the largest arenas and have won loads of cash. Houston G. O’Keefe, an online casino betting analyst and content creator, says Filipino esports players have been an inspiration to the general public as well as to the online casino Philippines scene. They have entertained esports fans as well as provided betting enthusiasts with an avenue where they can wager on different matches and games. This article notes the all-time top seven Filipino esports competitors.
Jake Puchero
Better known as Xmithie, Puchero is a professional esports player. The League of Legends professional player has several major awards to his name. Initially, a Warcraft 3 Dota player, Xmithie moved to League of Legends in 2011. Throughout his decade-long career, he has earned more than US$300,000.
Kim “Gabbi” Villafuerte
This is a familiar name for those who follow esports gambling in the Philippines. He has dominated the esports scene for some time, having started playing when he was only seven years old. Like Puchero, Gabbi started with Warcraft 3 Dota. His strong talent has earned him a place at the top and helped him make close to US$400,000 during his short stint in the esports space. According to sports commentators, he still has a long way to go, and it is just a matter of time before he becomes the top-earning athlete.
Abed Yusop
He is ranked as the only player who has achieved a distinction for reaching Matchmaking Rating (MMR) two times. In the Filipino esports world, Abed is considered the most talented player. He also ranks as the youngest player to have participated internationally. Yusop made his first appearance at the international level when he was only fifteen years old. To date, this player is clocking almost US$400,000 in cash won.
Nico “Eyyou” Barcelon
Some have described Eyyou as the most underrated player. He has excellent potential to become the best esports athlete in the country. This player is a superb Dota 2 player and a brilliant coach. He has played in several national and international tournaments where he has bagged awards and nearly half a million dollars throughout his career.
Marc Polo Luis Fausto
Commentators describe him as one of the players who put Dota 2 on the map. His reliable and effective play saw him accomplish significant feats in the field. Although he kicked off his career when he was only eleven, he has grown from strength to strength to become one of the best players in the country and the world. He is among the three players who have won World Electronic Sports Games twice. Although his meteoric rise is now slowing down, he has carved out a name for himself to be remembered.
Carlo “Kuku” Palad
Known by his game name Kuku Carlo, he is the most controversial–all the more so due to his use of inappropriate language. He is also one of the most adored esports players in the Philippines. He started his career in Dota 2, pushing on hard to become one of the best-known faces in the Filipino scene. eSports fans and enthusiasts adore him for his carefree and lighthearted demeanor as well as his taste for controversy.
Djardel DJ Jicko Mampusti
Currently playing for the team Fnatic, Djardel is one of the most talented and skilled Filipino Dota 2 players. With his immense talent, he has been a great inspiration within the esports fraternity, and a great supporter for his team.