A CUT above the competition, Loyola Gaming (LG) Xylo and Astra battled each other to notch first and second place respectively at the Esports AcadArena Aces Campus Open: Call of Duty: Mobile last June 6.
The tournament featured 26 teams playing three game modes, all of which utilized a single-elimination best of three format.
Climbing the brackets
LG Astra began the tournament with a strong 6-3 victory in the search and destroy game mode against the Far Eastern University Alabang’s (FEUA) Apex Tamaraws. Riding on this momentum, the team took another win against FEUA in the domination game mode, securing victory with a score of 150-113 and climbing up the leaderboards with a 2-0 finish.
While LG Astra breezed their way into the finals, LG Xylo faced difficulties in the quarter-finals as they were put in a 1-5 hole against the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ (PUP) Pylon Unara. However, tides would turn in LG Xylo’s favor after a remarkable display of composure from the team. The Ateneo side eventually secured a 6-5 victory thanks to AJ “Banana” Fajardo’s early sniper picks and Coleen “Cols” Pile’s 15 kills. It was smooth sailing for LG Xylo from there as they beat PUP 150-110 in the second game to progress through the ranks with their 2-0 performance.
After a gruelling match-up against PUP, LG Xylo met more challenging circumstances upon facing the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s (CSB) RG Eclipse in their semi-finals match. It was a relentless back-and-forth as LG Xylo and CSB found themselves in a tight 5-4 match, until Matt “Matyug” Dolalas’ intense one-versus-three clutch closed the game for LG with a 6-4 tally. Although CSB won the second game, LG Xylo secured their slot in the finals with a comfortable 150-78 victory in the third game, ending the match with a 2-1 showing.
Blue on blue
With both LG teams showcasing stellar performances throughout the tournament, LG Xylo and Astra went head-to-head in the finals. Despite LG Astra’s commendable teamwork and communication in the first game, LG Xylo outgunned their fellow Ateneans with a 6-1 performance. LG Xylo continued their winning streak in the second game as they bested LG Astra in a close match-up, 150-138, ending the tournament with LG Xylo and Astra earning the gold and silver titles, respectively.
Given their first-place finish, LG Xylo’s Fajardo stated that the team learned the importance of staying relaxed and acknowledged that they will always have room for improvement. “We learned to always stay calm and to never give up. We will get better and do better in our future tournaments,” he shared.
As for LG Astra, Lorenzo “Dodger” Villa emphasized that the team’s cohesion and trust in each other are essential to winning. According to Villa, “Teamwork and chemistry will always be the defining factor, [and these] really carried us to the finals [alongside] the skills we already have. We trust in each other’s skills and that we will put in the maximum effort all the time.”
LG Xylo Lineup:
AJ “Banana” Fajardo
Andre “Dre” Parafina
Coleen “Cols” Pile
Daniel “Swann” Swann
Matt “Matyug”Dolalas
LG Astra Lineup:
Ethan “iThaney” Flaminiano
Gab “Gabo” Campos
Jaden “Wheat” Sarmiento
Lance “Lemce” Wong
Lorenzo “Dodger” Villa
Luis “Magic” Lokin
