SIBOL to reset qualifiers following ONIC PH and TLPH roster overhaul

The Philippines’ national esports program is reshuffling its path to the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, reopening the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) qualifiers after a series of high-profile roster changes and a leadership transition changed its original roadmap.

The reset comes shortly after SIBOL unveiled three coaches for MLBB, Francis “Ducky” Glindro, Denver “Yeb” Miranda, and Michael “Arcadia” Bocado — signaling serious intent to maintain the national team’s dominance in the title as it debuts in the continental multi-sport spectacle.

ONIC Philippines, which topped the previous national qualifiers last November, has undergone significant changes. Star gold laner Duane “Kelra” Pillas departed to join ONIC Esports for MPL Indonesia Season 17, while Kiel “OHEB” Soriano was moved to Team Liquid PH’s inactive roster ahead of MPL Philippines Season 17. 

Their exits removed two of the country’s premier gold-lane threats from the original SIBOL pool. Compounding the situation was the resignation of former ONIC PH head coach Anthony “Ynot” Senedrin from his role as SIBOL head coach — a move that further blurred continuity within the program.

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LAKAD MATATAG, SIBOL

Denver “Yeb” Miranda, Michael Angelo “Arcadia” Bocado, and Francis John “Ducky” Glindro have been announced as official supporting coaches for the SIBOL MLBB national team at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.#SIBOL #LakadMatatag #AsianGames pic.twitter.com/9uyRxukxLV

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) February 28, 2026

Faced with a shifting competitive landscape, SIBOL opted for a full recalibration.

“Since we need to get a new head coach, and the nature of the movements of the rosters of the teams, tingin namin we would have better representation if we redo everything,” SIBOL general manager Jab Escutin said.

Rather than patch together a lineup from an outdated qualifier result, the federation chose transparency and competitive integrity — reopening registration and allowing the country’s best teams to stake a fresh claim.

The new qualifiers, with registration beginning Monday, will determine both the incoming head coach and the top four teams that will advance to the national combine. From there, the final six-player roster that will represent the Philippines in Nagoya will be selected.

The stakes are substantial. MLBB’s inclusion in the 2026 Asian Games marks a milestone for the title on the continental stage. For SIBOL, it is an opportunity to extend a legacy built in the Southeast Asian Games, where the men’s squad has captured four gold medals and the women’s team has secured back-to-back silver finishes.

Looking ahead to the Asian Games, SIBOL has also set its sights on securing qualification in seven other esports titles alongside MLBB: Naraka: Bladepoint, Identity V, Puyo Puyo Champions, Honor of Kings, Pokémon Unite, and the Asian Games version of PUBG Mobile.

With new leadership to appoint and a fresh pool to evaluate, the road to Nagoya now begins again, this time with heightened scrutiny and renewed urgency.

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