SIBOL will miss the China-ASEAN Esports Competition 2026 after visa-processing delays prevented the Philippine Mobile Legends: Bang Bang national team from traveling to Nanning, China. The competition remains scheduled for 6 to 8 November 2026, but the Philippines will not take part.
Team Liquid PH jungler Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno disclosed the development through his Instagram channel. His initial update was interpreted as saying that the tournament had been canceled because the team’s visas would not be ready. He later clarified that the event itself would proceed and that only the Philippine delegation would be absent.
“The tournament in China, which is CAEC, was canceled because the visa would not arrive by the tournament date.”
— Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, in an initial Instagram update, translated into English
KarlTzy subsequently corrected that message in a second post:
“It turns out it was not canceled; it is only us who will not fly.”
— Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, in a follow-up Instagram update, translated into English
Philippines loses an international opportunity
The absence removes a scheduled international appearance for the squad that earned the Philippines’ place in CAEC 2026. Team Liquid PH secured the slot on 13 October, defeating MDL team Twisted Minds Rough World Era 3–1 in the Philippine qualifiers.
Team Liquid PH mid laner Alston “Sanji” Pabico also acknowledged the withdrawal in an Instagram post on the evening of 30 October. His message indicated that the Philippine lineup would not be present at the China-based competition.
“GG guys, we are not at CAEC.”
— Alston “Sanji” Pabico, in an Instagram post, translated into English
For Philippine MLBB followers, the decision means there will be no SIBOL appearance in Nanning during the event’s announced dates. The visa issue affects the national team’s participation rather than the status of CAEC 2026 itself.
What has been reported about the withdrawal
- Event: China-ASEAN Esports Competition 2026
- Scheduled dates: 6–8 November 2026
- Venue city: Nanning, China
- Philippine representative: SIBOL’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team
- Qualification result: Team Liquid PH defeated Twisted Minds Rough World Era, 3–1, on 13 October
The report identified the cause as delays in processing the team’s visas. SIBOL had not issued an official statement about the withdrawal at the time of publication, so no further details about the applications, travel arrangements or a possible replacement were provided.
