Smart Communications Partners with Dark League Studios To Boost Esports in the Philippines

PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has partnered with Dark League Studios (DLS), an Esports event management and production team, to advance Esports and support aspiring gamers in their journey from amateur to professional leagues and national athletes.

Together, Smart and DLS will enhance gaming experiences through the Smart GIGA Arena, the first all-in-one Esports platform in the Philippines. The platform hosts tournaments for popular games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Call of Duty Mobile, Player's Unknown Battleground, and League of Legends Wild Rift, providing an immersive experience for amateur players.

Smart Communications, Inc. and Dark League Studios' partnership aims to strengthen the national esports program and offer a platform for aspiring esports players in the Philippines to pursue their dreams. In the photo, you can see Bobby Y. Rosales, Co-founder and Chairman of Dark League Studios; Al S. Panlilio, President and CEO of PLDT and Smart; and Alfrancis P. Chua, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Dark League Studios.

The partnership aims to expand GIGA Arena by increasing the number of tournaments, collaborating with game developers, and offering consumer-centric activities within the platform. Since its launch in 2022, GIGA Arena has attracted over 2 million users and distributed more than PHP 4.2 million in prizes through nearly 1,000 tournaments.

In addition, Smart and DLS will work closely with the Philippine Esports Organization (PeSo) to adopt industry best practices and maintain high standards of integrity.

Both Smart and DLS are committed to engaging more Filipino gamers by organizing new tournaments and introducing enhanced features on the GIGA Arena platform.

Al S. Panlilio, President and CEO of PLDT Inc and Smart Communications, stated, "Our partnership with DLS is aligned with our commitment to provide the best gaming experience to Filipinos. Through this collaboration, we aim to empower aspiring Esports athletes and help them compete on a larger stage."

Alfrancis Chua, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Dark League Studios, expressed excitement about leveraging their expertise to engage the gaming community and inspire Filipino gamers to pursue their dreams.

Marlon Marcelo, Executive Director of Philippine Esports Organization, acknowledged Smart's support and the alignment of initiatives, which will create more opportunities for aspiring Filipino gamers to showcase their skills and become the next generation of Team SIBOL athletes.

Smart is recognized as the Philippines' fastest and best mobile network by Ookla, a global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence. Smart won Ookla's Best Mobile Network award for Q1-Q2 2022 and Q3-Q4 2022, being the only Philippine mobile operator to achieve this distinction. With a coverage that extends to 97 percent of the population, Smart provides reliable connectivity to empower Filipino gamers.

To stay updated on Smart's Esports programs, services, and initiatives, follow their official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, or visit their website at smart.com.ph.