Acampado hands PH-Sibol third SEA Games victory

Sibol delivered another gold medal for the Philippines after Caviar Napoleon Acampado scored a masterful 4-1 win over Singapore’s Thomas Maria Kpankiewicz in the finals of Starcraft II event of esports in the 30th Southeast Asian Games yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.

The 27-year-old Acampado won the first two games of the best-ofseven duel before Kpankiewicz scored a victory on the third game. Acampado, however, was not to be denied as he came through by winning the next two to win the match – and the gold medal.

“Of course we’re very happy that Cav won and contributed to Team Philippines,” said Sibol’s Starcraft II mentor Jess Tamboboy, who trained Acampado and other gamers for nearly five months.

Kpankiewicz settled for the silver medal in Starcraft II, while Vietnam’s gamer Phuc Hong, who Acampado defeated 3-2 in the best-of-five semifinals, pocketed the bronze.

Acampado’s victory increased Sibol’s medal haul to three golds following victories in Mobile Legend: Bang Bang and in Dota 2.

The MLBB squad of Kenneth Villa, Jeniel Bata-anon, Carlito Ribo, Jason Torculas, Angelo Arcangel, Karl Nepomuceno and Allan Castromayor stunned world champion Indonesia with a come-from-behind 3-2 win in the five-game finals series.

For the Dota 2 team, James Erice Guerra, Van Jerico Manalaysay, John Anthony Vargas, Bryle Jacob Alvizo and Marvin Salvador Rushton showed tremendous poise in their own bestof-five showdown to score a 3-2 win over Thailand.

The national team aims for a fourth gold medal in Tekken 7, which is being played at press time.