The exciting journey of the inaugural Wild Rift League-Asia 1 (WRL A1) reached its climax on Sunday, July 23, with the decisive victory of China’s KeepBest Gaming (KBG). In a big way, KBG surpassed Nigma Galaxy (NGX) of the Philippines to earn the championship title and first ever lift of the Wild Rift League-Asia Championship trophy.
The confrontation in the final tournament was a thrilling roller coaster as the teams battled fiercely for the championship crown. Entering the tournament as the WRL CN conference runner-up, KBG faced 11 other sturdy teams for a championship spot. Team CN dominated the round robin stage with a flawless 3-0 record, securing a place in the Grand Finals.
KBG’s well deserved win also earned him the lion’s share of the CN¥2,000,000 (PHP 15 million) prize pool, taking home a whopping CN¥1 million (PHP 7.5 million).
However, it was not only KBG that made the history of this event. NGX, the representative of the WRL APAC Conference and the Philippines, put on a spectacular display, outlasting seven other teams from their region to finish second in the round robin stage with a score of 2-1. Their persistence and outstanding performance carried them to the Grand Finals after a hard fought 3-2 win over J Team in the semifinals.
Despite losing 4-0 in the final, NGX’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. This incredible achievement for NGX marks a milestone in Philippine esports history, as it was the first time a Philippine team participated in a major international Wild Rift tournament. The NGX also took home CN¥400,000 (PHP 3 million).
The WRL A1 Finals adhered to a highly competitive system, ensuring the highest level of play and providing equal opportunities for all teams. The organization was methodical and the program was designed to maintain a high level of engagement and enthusiasm among both players and fans. The event also marks the growing popularity and competitiveness of Wild Rift eSports in the Philippines, and is sure to inspire many budding Filipino gamers to « Dare to Go Wild! »
As a gift to fans, Riot Games will be releasing commemorative skins of KeepBest Gaming, the WRL A1 champions, next year. These skins will serve as a keepsake of this spectacular tournament. Stay tuned to the official announcements for more details.
The conclusion of WRL A1 marks the beginning of a new journey towards WRL A2, scheduled from September to December this year. As we celebrate the success of WRL A1, we look forward to the next competition. The mantra for the future is clear: Dare to Go Wild! Whether you are a fan of the victorious KeepBest Gaming or a supporter of the other commendable teams, let’s raise our spirits, keep our hopes high for WRL A2 and continue enjoying the fascinating world of Wild Rift eSports.
