SIBOL Women settle for silver, despite pushing Malaysia to the brink in SEA Games MLBB Final

For the second straight Southeast Asian Games, SIBOL Women found themselves standing on the podium with silver — close enough to gold to touch it, yet just out of reach.

Their campaign in the 33rd SEA Games 2025 Women’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament ended in familiar heartbreak, as Malaysia edged the Philippines 4–3 in a grueling grand finals series that swung wildly in momentum and emotion. It was a result that hurt, but also one that underlined how firmly Filipina players remain among the region’s elite.

The Filipinas entered the finals riding the confidence of a strong group-stage showing, but Malaysia immediately tested their resolve. 

Farisha set the tone early in Game 1, turning a seven-minute Turtle fight into a nightmare for the Philippines. Her perfectly timed Arlott Final Slash cracked the backline, leading to the takedown of Sheen “Shinoa” Perez on Melissa and Mery “Meraaay” Vivero on Baxia. Farisha’s relentless pressure culminated in a spotless 5-0-10 KDA, giving Malaysia the opening salvo.

SIBOL Women answered with poise in Game 2. Adjustments were made, pressure was redirected, and Malaysia’s star was no longer allowed free rein. Perez, now on Bruno, sparked the turnaround by eliminating MAS. Alia’s Chou during a 14-minute top-lane push that cracked open the map. Behind her, Rica “Amoree” Amores dictated the pace with Yve, posting a controlled 1-1-10 KDA to knot the series at 1-1.

Game 3 became a chess match. Malaysia struck first, but the Philippines clawed back behind Kaye “Keishi” Alpuerto’s Nolan, whose second Turtle secured momentum. The pivotal moment came just before the 15-minute mid-lane clash, when a mispositioned MAS. Alia was punished. Alpuerto sliced through the fight, deleting MAS. Queenie’s Lunox and Farisha’s Arlott for a crucial double kill. 

Forgoing the Lord, the Filipinas opted for inhibitor pressure, a calculated call that paid off as Amores, now on Kimmy, powered the close with a 4-0-4 KDA.

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HEARTBREAK IN GAME 7 🇵🇭🥈

JUST IN: The SIBOL MLBB women fall to Team Malaysia after a grueling seven-game series, settling for the silver medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.

📸: MOONTON Games / Mobile Legends: Bang Bang pic.twitter.com/Cmxa7j5aDG

— GMA Sports (@gmasportsph) December 17, 2025

Malaysia refused to fold. In Game 4, they displayed discipline and patience, conceding no deaths until the nine-minute Lord fight. Once the door opened, they surged through it. Farisha, this time on Alice, was untouchable, orchestrating fights with Throne of Ruins and finishing with a pristine 6-0-10 KDA to level the finals at 2-2.

The tug-of-war intensified in Game 5, a bruising 21-minute affair that tested both drafts and endurance. Without a traditional marksman scaling late, the Philippines leaned on execution and timing. PHI. Diagon’s Esmeralda dominated mid, neutralizing MAS. Hanis’ Odette and helping secure the Lord uncontested. When Alpuerto picked off MAS. Queenie’s Claude, the Filipinas committed fully to the base push. Diagon’s imposing 7-3-10 KDA brought the Philippines within one win of gold.

But the finish line proved elusive.

Malaysia struck back in Game 6 to force a decider, draining energy and momentum from both sides. In the decisive Game 7, exhaustion was evident, yet the stakes demanded everything. Even after Alpuerto claimed the Lord with Ling, Malaysia held firm, countering decisively and taking down Alpuerto and Vivero’s Khaleed to seize control.

The end came swiftly. MAS. Hanis, now on Kimmy, secured the 13-minute Lord, and with the Philippines unable to mount a proper contest, Malaysia dismantled the remaining defenses to finally seal the gold.

For SIBOL Women, the silver medal came with familiar pain — but also with proof. Across seven punishing games, they matched Malaysia blow for blow, showcased depth across roles, and demonstrated once more that Filipinas remain a standard-bearer in regional MLBB.

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