History was made in Southeast Asian esports as the NU Bulldogs from the Philippines conquered the first-ever Galaxy Gaming Academy x Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Campus Series 2025, held at Taman Anggrek Mall, Indonesia.
This landmark inter-country campus tournament brought together thousands of student gamers from four nations, with the best eight campus teams clashing in an intense grand final weekend for a slice of the US$40,000 prize pool.
A New Era for Campus Esports in Southeast Asia
Launched in partnership between Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and Oceania and MOONTON Games, the GGA x MCS 2025 marks a pivotal moment for collegiate esports in the region.
For the first time ever, student teams from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore competed across national lines in an MLBB tournament tailor-made to nurture young esports talent, grow community engagement, and set the stage for future professional players.
The event’s three-stage structure — open registration, national qualifiers, and cross-country grand finals — delivered an engaging, fair, and inclusive tournament experience.
Over 1,000 teams joined the domestic qualifiers between March and May 2025, culminating in a spectacular offline finale in Jakarta from June 20–22.
The Champions: NU Bulldogs (Philippines)
In an electrifying showdown, the NU Bulldogs from the Philippines rose to the top, earning the championship title and a well-deserved grand prize of US$18,000.
Demonstrating exceptional synergy, tactical awareness, and championship-caliber gameplay, the Bulldogs dominated the field and proved that campus esports teams can match the coordination and execution of professional squads.
“Taking home the championship title is beyond what we imagined when we first registered,” said Patrick Balanquit, coach of NU Bulldogs. “This tournament proves that student gamers deserve serious recognition and support. We hope more students will join us in competitive gaming!”
Other Podium Finishers
- 1st Runner-Up: FAITH NOVUS Bravehearts (Philippines) – US$8,000 prize
- 2nd Runner-Up: VL Team (Indonesia) – US$5,000 prize
The top-performing teams put on a show that thrilled both online and offline audiences, proving that Southeast Asia is home to world-class collegiate MLBB talent.
Galaxy S25 Ultra – The Tournament Device
A central highlight of the tournament was the use of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra as the official device for all matches. The smartphone’s top-tier processor, high refresh rate display, and ultra-fast response time offered a professional-grade gaming experience, empowering players to perform at their best.
The GGA x MCS wasn’t just about competition—it was also a showcase of Samsung’s latest mobile technology, underlining its commitment to the esports ecosystem by offering real, tangible support to up-and-coming gamers.
“The Galaxy Gaming Academy x MLBB Campus Series reflects our dedication to providing students with the technology, platform, and opportunities they need to excel in competitive gaming,” said Carl Nordenberg, VP of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung.
MOONTON and Samsung: A Shared Vision for Esports Development
Ray Ng, Head of Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, praised the collaboration for opening doors for future pro players:
“This tournament aligns with our commitment to building a strong foundation for aspiring gamers. Samsung’s Galaxy Gaming Academy successfully showcased the power of combining tech, structure, and education to elevate student participation across the region.”
The grand finals also drew representatives from pro esports teams like Dewa United, Onic, EVOS, and Team Liquid, offering players valuable exposure to the professional scene.
By combining structured competition with real-world networking, GGA x MCS 2025 created a rare and powerful pathway for students aiming to transition from campus legends to professional stars.
Looking Ahead: The Future of GGA x MCS
With its successful debut, the Galaxy Gaming Academy x MLBB Campus Series has set a high standard for future collegiate esports tournaments. From its smooth execution to impactful talent scouting, the event has created a blueprint for sustainable esports ecosystem development in Southeast Asia.
This tournament proves that with proper infrastructure, tech support, and regional collaboration, campus esports can reach the same levels of professionalism and prestige as traditional university sports.
As the esports world continues to grow, so too will student participation — and GGA x MCS is leading the way.
Keywords:
- MLBB Campus Series 2025
- Galaxy Gaming Academy 2025
- NU Bulldogs MLBB win
- Samsung x MLBB tournament
- Southeast Asia campus esports
- Mobile Legends campus tournament
- Galaxy S25 Ultra esports
- Collegiate MLBB championship
- Philippine esports teams
- Taman Anggrek MLBB event
