MANILA, Philippines  — The Philippines’ Sibol online team kept their poise under pressure en route to edging out Thailand, 3-2, and snaring the DoTA 2 inaugural diadem in the Southeast Asian Games late Monday at the Filoil gym in San Juan City.

Sibol pulled through with the pooled talents of Mc Nicholson ”Mc” Villanueva, John Anthony ”Natsumi” Vargas, Jun ”Bok” Kanehara, Marvin Salvador ”Boomy” Rushton, Bryle Jacob ”CML” Alvizo, Van Jerico ”Van” Manalaysay and James Erice ”Erice” Guerra.

The team dominated the field early on and claimed the first match for a 1-0 edge but Thailand somewhat recovered and countered with telling blows to even up 1-1 as well as in the second match, 2-2, behind a decisive attack.

But Sibol stayed in the thick of things and the Philippines struck hard in Game 5 for the crucial win.

The gold was actually Sibol’s second diadem in the inaugural esports after winning Mobile Legends. (IAMIGO/CNS)