Philippine Clash 2015 Sets Gaming Records in the Country

 

Last August 3, 2015, The Philippine Clash 2015, the country’s biggest Clash of Clans (CoC) tournament mounted by Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), got off to a phenomenal start with a record number of competing teams in its Metro Manila leg, all vying for the largest prize pool in a local gaming competition worth over P2.3 million.

Smart launched the nationwide competition as part of its thrust to turn every phone into an entertainment powerhouse through innovative products and services that allow subscribers to access and enjoy all the mobile games, videos and music they want on-the-go.

A total of 28 clans – with five members each – gathered for the first leg of the tournament held at SM Light Mall in Mandaluyong City, marking the most number of teams to battle it out ever in a live CoC tournament in the Philippines.

Mad race for trophies

Drawing from nearly two years’ worth of experience, veteran team Pinoy Playhouse led by clan leader Nathan Simbulan emerged at the top of a mad race for trophies. Grabbing the second spot is Filipinos 24/7 led by Koji Espina – a great finish considering it was the group’s first time to join a live gaming competition.

Pinoy Playhouse and Filipinos 24/7 were awarded P25,000 and P10,000 in cash prizes, respectively, and will automatically represent Metro Manila in the Philippine Clash 2015 Grand Finals set on Sept. 26 at SM Mall of Asia.

“Our experience competing together was definitely our main advantage. We are a team who bonded over CoC, and we grew confidence in each other since we started our group way back in October 2013,” said Pinoy Playhouse’s Simbulan, noting that the clan has joined around 20 friendly and competitive matches prior to the competition. In fact, the same team bagged last May the championship for Summer Clash, the first live CoC tournament in the country, also backed by Smart.

Far from a walk in the park

Despite their experience, Simbulan said topping the Metro Manila leg was far from a walk in the park. “The competition gathered the most number of teams we have ever competed in. Moreover, all participants are required at least a Town Hall Level 9 Village to enter, so we were all equally strong and strategic players. It’s highly competitive and we are pumped up just to make it to the finals.”

Filipinos 24/7 was just as stoked to advance to the finals. “We strategized for speed. We had little time to prepare but we made it a point to join because we wanted to see how we would measure up against the country’s best clans. Thankfully, it all paid off,” said Espina, who even took a leave from his bartending job in Japan to make it to the competition.

Cosplay contest, games, raffle

Aside from the tournament, the event drew hundreds of CoC fans and enthusiasts for a full day of other exciting activities such as a Cosplay contest, tutorials by CoC experts, meet-and-greet sessions with the country’s top clans, as well as games and raffle of gaming gadgets.

“We are overwhelmed with the response and support from CoC communities and fans all over the country, and we call on the clans to join the upcoming legs as we search for the top CoC team in the Philippines,” said Mellissa Limcaoco, head of Smart’s Innovation and Product Development Group.

Pinoy Playhouse bagged the top prize in the Metro Manila leg of Philippine Clash 2015, the country’s biggest Clash of Clans (CoC) tournament mounted by Smart in partnership with Philippine eSports Organization and the Philippine Clash of Clans Battleground, the largest community of competitive CoC gamers. The winning clan is composed of (second from left): Davin Tapang, Nathan Simbulan (Clan Leader), Mark Alvynn Raymundo, Rene de Guzman and Francis Dave Jadulco.