Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Pro Gaming League (PPGL) is hosting a virtual match on March 8, where 15 registrants will have the chance to play against select members of the Philippine idol group MNL48 on the popular mobile game League of Legends: Wild Rift.
PPGL is the largest multi-title esports league in the country, having hosted a total of five seasons since its initial match-off in 2019.
Through the upcoming event, the registrants will have a chance to virtually meet and compete with MNL48 members namely Cole Somera, Abby Trinidad, Sheki Arzaga, Gabb Skribikin, and Coleen Trinidad.
MNL48 is a Filipino idol group, originally established in 2018. Known to be a part of the larger J-pop genre scene based on its mother group AKB48. They have since released a total of six singles, including ‘Pag-Ibig Fortune Cookie’, ‘High Tension’, and more recently ‘River’.
MNL48 fans took to Twitter to express excitement for the upcoming virtual match.
[UPDATE] Fans will have a chance to play the online game "League of Legends: Wild Rift" with MNL48 members as local gaming league PPGL features the group in its Virtual Hangout this March 8!
— PAKSA MNL (@PAKSAMNL) February 27, 2021
Check PPGL's Facebook page for further information.#MNL48 | @mnl48official pic.twitter.com/AWpYyd28Mn
Love the lineup that they went for MNL48 and League Wild Rift. They went with the Undergirls Center (Cole), 7th single center (Abby), 2nd runner up (Sheki) and the two popular members (Gabb and Coleen). Smort. #MNL48xPPGLWildRift @mnl48official
— Ian Titular (@UkiyaSeed) February 27, 2021
One fan said that it is noticeable that some of the more popular members were included in the lineup.
The virtual match also came days after MNL48 recently concluded its Third General Elections, in which voting power from the fans through buying merchandise determined the lineup of the group’s upcoming single.
The PPGL x MNL48 match is organized by the Philippine arm of esports organization Mineski and Philippine telco Globe, where the event will be also available on its newest service Globe Virtual Hangouts.