Beyond gaming: Acer bets P1M on PH esports potential

Insider Spotlight

• Acer is putting P1 million in prize money behind Philippine esports teams competing in VALORANT and League of Legends
• Two winning teams will represent the Philippines at the Asia Pacific Predator League 2027 Grand Finals in Vietnam
• Registration closes Oct. 15, with qualifying matches beginning Oct. 17 and 18
  
  
  
  

The growing opportunities for Filipino esports players to compete internationally are driving corporate-backed tournaments that combine financial incentives with pathways to regional competition, giving emerging teams greater exposure beyond the domestic gaming scene.

Acer Philippines has announced the Predator League 2027 Philippine Qualifier, featuring a combined P1-million prize pool across two competitive gaming titles: VALORANT and League of Legends.

Each title will have P500,000 in prize money, with the winning teams advancing to the Asia Pacific Predator League 2027 Grand Finals in Vietnam in January 2027.

Financial rewards 

Champions in each category will receive P200,000, while runners-up will take home P120,000.

Third- and fourth-place teams will each earn P50,000, while teams finishing fifth through eighth will receive P20,000 apiece.

The prize structure distributes financial rewards beyond the finalists, providing incentives for more participating teams.

Tournament experience

Corporate-sponsored esports competitions provide opportunities for aspiring professional players to gain tournament experience, develop competitive skills and potentially attract attention from organizations operating in the regional gaming industry.

For Acer, the tournament also reinforces its engagement with gaming communities through its Predator brand, extending its presence beyond computer hardware into competitive gaming.

“We believe every player has the potential to go beyond their limits,” Acer Philippines managing director Sue Ong-Lim said in a press statement.

“The Predator League gives esports players a platform to grow and take the next step in their esports journey. We are excited to see which teams will rise and represent the Philippines on the international stage,” she added.

Registration closes Oct. 15, followed by VALORANT open qualifiers on Oct. 17 and League of Legends qualifiers on Oct. 18.

Schedule of group-stage matches

VALORANT group-stage matches are scheduled for Oct. 24 to 25, while League of Legends matches follow on Oct/ 30 to 31.

Online playoffs will take place Nov. 7 and 8, respectively, before the LAN Finals in late November.

The two champions will then carry Philippine representation into the regional championship in Vietnam. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma