By WAYLON GALVEZ
Members of the esports national team Sibol are set to receive cash rewards from PLDT mobile subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. in the hopes of boosting their chances of winning gold medals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games here.
PLDT chief revenue officer and Smart president Al Panlilio, fourth from left, and Philippine Southeast Asian Games Esports Union co-chairman and Cignal TV and TV5 president Jane Basas, sixth from right, with members of the Sibol esports national team. (Smart Communities FB page)
PLDT/Smart and Sibol formalized the partnership last Monday in an effort to encourage the members of the national team as the game of esports make its debut in the biennial meet set Nov. 3 to Dec. 11.
PLDT/Smart has launched its “Get Gold!” campaign, which offers cash rewards to athletes, coaches and managers of Sibol.
The cash incentive is P2 million for every gold won in team events like Dota 2, Mobile Legends Bang Bang and Arena of Valor, and P1 million for individual events like Tekken 7, Hearthstone and Star Craft.
“This is a huge milestone for esports,” said PLDT chief revenue officer and Smart president Al Panlilio, also the head of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
“It is our greatest honor to support the best Filipino gamers as they prove that we have the talent, skill, and drive to dominate this increasingly growing scene.”
Sibol has done a nationwide selection process as it picked members of the team in their respective games, and for flag and country, they are brought together to heed the call of flag and country with a battle cry of “Lakad Matatag” in the SEA Games competition.
In an effort to enhance the skills of Sibol athletes, Smart has opened the doors of the Smart Sibol Training Ground, the team’s headquarters which is fitted with the latest mobile network innovations.
“We are very happy that Smart is joining us in our first outing with Sibol – no less than the 30th SEA Games,” said PSEU co-chairman and Cignal TV and TV5 president Jane Basas.
“With the combined efforts of Smart and their “Get Gold!” program, as well as our other partners and the whole country, we believe that Sibol now has taken firm root and will be able to face all challenges that come their way on their path to victory.”
Source: Manila Bulletin
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