MANILA, Philippines – On Tuesday night at the Ayala Malls Circuit in Makati, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters lost to MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados Hotshots in the best-of-three grand finals of the PBA Esports Bakbakan Season 2.

The Hotshots had an unblemished run from the 12-team elimination rounds and the 300-team qualifiers after dominating Game 1 and then pulling off an incredible comeback victory in Game 2.

Magnolia became the newest PBA Esports kings after Converge won the first tournament last year, and Dex Mhalon ‘Gohan’ Dignadice was voted the Grand Finals MVP for his masterclass on heroes Medusa and Morphling.

After guiding the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots to victory in the PBA Esports Bakbakan Season 2, Dex Mhalon “Gohan” Dignadice was ecstatic. The team’s excellent work ethic, discipline, and feeling of teamwork—developed from constant preparation and training—were credited with their championship run. They were able to dominate the competition because of their dedication and solidarity, which served as the cornerstone of their success.

Magnolia struggled to get momentum against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 2 of the grand finals, which led to an early defeat. The Hotshots maintained their composure in the face of a poor start by concentrating on tactics to regain control of the map and important goals. With the help of this strategy, they were able to pull off an incredible comeback, winning the championship.

Dignadice’s leadership and flexibility under duress were crucial to the team’s success. His actions demonstrated Magnolia’s dedication to greatness, as did the team’s collective discipline. Their victory not only demonstrated their tenacity but also reaffirmed how crucial planning and strategic execution are in high-stakes games.

In Game 2 of the PBA Esports Bakbakan Season 2 grand finals, the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots overcame a significant early disadvantage to win the title, showcasing their tenacity and tactical skill. At first, the Hotshots were behind with a kill total of 0–6 and a tower count of 0–2. But they won the match in a thrilling 47 minutes thanks to their clever execution and well-calculated performance.

Leading the charge with his hero Morphling, Dex Mhalon “Gohan” Dignadice was instrumental in the recovery. With 14 kills, three deaths, and 11 assists (KDA), Gohan’s outstanding effort helped the team defeat Rain or Shine Elasto Painters by a slim margin of 31–28. His flexibility and ability to perform well under duress were crucial in ensuring the victory.

Gohan’s perfect performance with Medusa in Game 1 set the stage for Magnolia’s supremacy. He led the squad to a quick 17-9 victory in just 27 minutes with an outstanding 6-0-4 KDA. Their eventual series sweep was made possible by this dominant effort.

Magnolia established themselves as the newest PBA Esports champions by winning the P250,000 top prize. Rain or Shine received a nice P150,000 award for finishing as runners-up.

With a commanding 37-9 scoreline after just 30 minutes of play, NorthPort easily defeated Blackwater in the battle for third place. NorthPort’s victory earned them a P100,000 cash reward and the bronze medal.

Magnolia’s triumph not only demonstrated their talent and tenacity but also the value of planning and teamwork in elite esports competition.

But more than the awards and accolades, PBA Esports and Dark League Studios were ecstatic with the overall triumph of another esports competition that continued to close the gap between conventional esport and the modern digital era.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial had the idea to use esport to create a platform that connects the younger generation to the world of professional sports. The goal of this project was to create a community and a venue where conventional sports and online competition may coexist. This desire has come true, according to AC Valdenor, co-founder and CEO of Dark League Studios, since PBA Esports has been able to successfully engage both young players and fans.

Valdenor emphasized the value of establishing relationships and fostering a vibrant esports community under the PBA umbrella during the award ceremony. PBA marketing director Jo Francisco joined him, highlighting the league’s dedication to innovation and broadening its appeal outside traditional sports.