PESO sets sights on Asiad

The Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) is looking to build a training center in preparation for the 20th Asian Games in Japan next year.

PESO executive director Marlon Marcelo said they are looking to build the new facility in big cities, particularly in Metro Manila, to help find the best players who will represent the country in the biggest and most prestigious international tournament in Asia.

“There will be a qualifier that will probably happen in the first and second quarters of 2026. But as we move forward, we have already spotted at least 20 cities where we can actually try and do the national grassroots events on-site,” said Marcelo, who also signed a partnership agreement with Arena Social, a group under the umbrella of DigiPlus Interactive Corp., on Wednesday at the Hilton Manila in Pasay City.

“That’s a big change, but normally our grassroots events are online-based only. With the resources that we will be having, it’s now going to be feasible.”

In a separate interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, Marcelo said they will be leaning on getting the best talent in mobile games to increase the country’s chances for a podium finish in the Asian Games.

“Some of our grassroots activities are online-based because it’s easier, right? But right now, you will have on-site experience, on-site competition and that’s going to be important for us as well,” Marcelo said.

Arena Social managing director Erick Su said investing in the national Esports team will be beneficial for both sides.

“I think where the initiative is coming from, we want to share some of the vision from PESO to try to strengthen the Esports ecosystem in the Philippines, especially from the grassroots. We have seen in the past few years the growth of the game, of the performance of the players, and we see a lot of talent and we think that we believe in the future we can strengthen that,” Su said.

“We can help a lot with funding them with the facilities, finding the new talents, training them, getting them into more competitions, improving their performance, and eventually they’re going to have a better performance. They’re already winning a lot of medals, but maybe in the future also in a higher level of competition on an international level.”

Prior to the Asian Games, the Filipinos are also set to see action in the Esports events of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand from 9 to 20 December.