NU Bulldogs Dethrone La Salle to Capture First-Ever UAAP Esports MLBB Title
National University dethroned defending champion De La Salle University, 2-1, to capture the 2026 UAAP Esports MLBB championship on Wednesday at the MVP Studios in Mandaluyong City.
La Salle swept NU, 2-0, in the group stage, but the Bulldogs turned the tables when it mattered most to claim their first UAAP MLBB title while avenging last season’s finals defeat.
NU dominated Game 1 from the opening minutes, building a 9-1 kill lead by the eighth minute behind Johann Estacio’s four kills and five assists.
Despite Joshua Tating’s Lord steal, the Bulldogs closed out the opener in just 14 minutes, with Estacio securing a Savage in the final team fight.
La Salle answered in Game 2, building an 8,000-gold advantage to force a decider with a 17-minute victory.
Estacio struggled early in Game 3, falling in the opening minute as Tating picked up a double kill. But the NU star quickly bounced back, finishing with eight kills, three assists, and one death as the Bulldogs sealed the championship in just 13 minutes.
Estacio was later named Grand Finals MVP for his performance in the title series.
Earlier, NU swept UP, 2-0, in the semifinals, while La Salle rallied past Adamson, 2-1, to set up the championship rematch.
UP and Adamson, both first-time semifinalists, settled for bronze.
The UAAP Esports VALORANT Tournament resumes Monday, August 31, at the NAOS Arena in DoubleDragon Plaza, Pasay City.
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