Adamson University and National University lived up to their billing as title contenders, emerging as the top seeds in their respective groups at the conclusion of the 2026 UAAP Esports Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Tournament group stage on Tuesday at the MVP Studios in Mandaluyong City.

The Soaring Falcons swept their way into the playoffs after scoring back-to-back 2-0 victories over Far Eastern University and the University of the Philippines on Day 2, finishing the group stage undefeated.

Adamson, which missed the playoffs in each of the past two tournaments, stole the spotlight in the group stage after becoming the only team to sweep all of its matches and enter the medal rounds with plenty of momentum.

“We were expecting to sweep the group talaga. Yung preparation kasi namin all throughout mga isang taon. So one year na preparation para lang sa tatlong araw na to kaya ayaw na namin sayangin yung moment,” explained Soaring Falcons head coach John Carlo Argonza on his team’s approach in the group stage.

“Yung players din nagdala. Yung galing nila pinapakita nila every game,” he added.

Adamson opened the day with a clinical performance against FEU, with Fhrance Hilario tallying five kills and three assists as the Soaring Falcons built a commanding 10-2 kill advantage heading into the first Lord objective.

Prince Valero then delivered the finishing blow in the 14th minute, securing a triple kill during a decisive 5-for-0 wipeout that sealed Game 1 and immediately eliminated the Tamaraws from playoff contention.

FEU managed to keep Game 2 competitive but had no answer for Hilario, who erupted for 10 kills and five assists to power Adamson to the series sweep.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

Against UP, the Soaring Falcons cruised to a 14-minute victory in Game 1 behind Hilario’s seven kills and four assists, highlighted by a Maniac killing streak in the closing moments that punctuated Adamson’s dominant performance.

The Fighting Maroons mounted a more resilient stand in Game 2 and dragged the contest deep into the late game, but Adamson ultimately seized control during a crucial Lord fight in the 24th minute, securing a 3-for-0 wipe before launching the series-clinching base turret push.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

Meanwhile, in Group A, NU opened with a rousing 2-0 sweep of the University of the East before suffering a 2-0 loss to defending champion De La Salle University.

The defeat left the door open for the Green Aces to overtake the Bulldogs in the standings, but La Salle needed another sweep in its final assignment against the University of Santo Tomas to claim the top spot.

“We’re thankful that we were able to qualify to the playoffs, but at the same time, with a loss to DLSU, mas nag-ground kami. Wake-up call samin to sa reality na marami pa kaming kailangang ayusin, and entering the playoffs, we’ll take this as a learning experience to be able to perform better tomorrow,” said NU head coach Ernest Del Rosario on their loss to La Salle.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

Despite the loss, the Bulldogs secured the top seed after earning two wins via sweep, while the Green Aces were held to a 1-1 draw by the University of Santo Tomas in Group A’s final match.

The two group leaders headline the crossover semifinals, with Adamson taking on defending champion La Salle and NU facing UP.

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National University and the University of the Philippines emerged as the early leaders of their respective groups following the opening day of the 2026 UAAP Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Tournament group stage on Monday at the MVP Studios in Mandaluyong City.

Johann Estacio spearheaded NU’s dominant sweep of the University of Santo Tomas, tallying nine kills and 12 assists across the two-game series to propel the Bulldogs to the top of Group A with three points.

NU head coach Ernest Del Rosario credited the Bulldogs’ preparation for their confident performance against the Teletigers.

“Alam namin na gagawin ng kalaban yung best nila, but with the preparations that we had, we kind of expected the win, and we’re glad that we got it,” Del Rosario said.

The Bulldogs opened the floodgates with a commanding 10-minute victory in Game 1, finishing with a 12-3 advantage in kills.

Gold laner Kirk Herrero delivered a flawless performance for NU, recording seven kills and four assists without a single death.

With momentum firmly on their side, the Bulldogs raced to a 3,700-gold advantage midway through the fifth minute of Game 2, with Estacio accounting for four kills and one assist during the early surge.

NU never looked back, as Estacio capped another clinical performance with a perfect 6-0-5 KDA to complete the sweep.

University of the East sits behind NU with two points after securing 1-1 draws against UST and defending champion De La Salle University.

The Bulldogs will have little time to rest, as they face UE and La Salle—the champions of the tournament’s previous two editions—in their final two group-stage assignments today.

“It’s a big challenge, but we do believe that, to be the best, kailangan namin silang talunin. So we’re just going to do our best,” Del Rosario said.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

Meanwhile, UP seized the early lead in Group B after collecting one victory and one draw for four points.

The Fighting Maroons opened their campaign with an impressive 2-0 sweep of Ateneo de Manila University before settling for a 1-1 draw with Far Eastern University to close the first day of action.

Adamson University occupies second place with three points after likewise sweeping Ateneo, 2-0.

The Blue Eagles, who suffered consecutive 0-2 defeats, have already been eliminated from playoff contention.

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After a two-week postponement due to severe weather conditions, defending champion De La Salle University finally begins its UAAP Esports Mobile Legends: Bang Bang title defense against last season’s runner-up University of the East on Monday at the MVP Studios in Mandaluyong City.

The Green Aces and the Red Warriors will open the tournament at 9:30 AM in the highlight of the six-match opening-day slate, with La Salle looking to begin its bid for a second straight crown on a winning note.

For Green Aces standout Joshua Tating, the title defense carries added significance as he enters his final year of UAAP eligibility, giving the La Salle senior one last opportunity to help steer the team to another championship.

“Ang mindset ko ngayong season is to just enjoy the game and play my very best to leave behind no regrets,” shared Tating, who also cautioned against complacency as the Green Aces bid for a back-to-back championship run.

“Kahit defending champion kami, rerespetuhin namin lahat ng kalaban namin and never namin i-u-underestimate kasi lahat sila naghahanda rin nang maigi para manalo,” said Tating.

While the two-week delay pushed back La Salle’s title defense, Tating believes the extra time ultimately worked in the Green Aces’ favor as they continued to adjust to the game’s new meta.

“Yung cancellations, malaking help talaga sa team kasi any amount of extra practice na makukuha namin is crucial sa amin, dahil sa bagong meta, so nangangapa pa kaming lahat and nagsasanay pa,” he said.

The additional preparation has also given La Salle greater confidence heading into the tournament, although Tating acknowledged that the true test of how well the Green Aces have adapted will only come once they face actual competition.

“Masasabi ko na mataas ang confidence namin na we’ll do well sa tournament dahil sa extra prep, since malaking tulong talaga siya sa amin na ma-kapag yung meta. Pero marami pa kaming matututunan and sa tournament na mismo namin siya malalaman,” Tating said.

“And then mag-a-adjust na lang kami mula doon.”

La Salle and UE headline Group A alongside National University and the University of Santo Tomas, while Ateneo de Manila University, the University of the Philippines, Adamson University, and Far Eastern University make up Group B.

Meanwhile, the resumption of the Valorant tournament will be announced later this week.

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