The Snapdragon MLBB Pro Series Challenge Season APAC, which took place from January 6 to 12, 2025, marked the beginning of an exciting new season in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) esports calendar. This tournament is part of the broader Snapdragon Pro Series, a global esports initiative organized by ESL that provides a platform for both amateur and professional players to compete and rise through the ranks.
Challenge Season Format and Schedule
The Challenge Season of the Snapdragon MLBB Pro Series APAC featured 16 teams divided into four groups, competing in a GSL (Group Stage League) format. All matches were played in a best-of-three (Bo3) format, ensuring that each team had to demonstrate consistent performance to advance. The top team from each group earned a direct qualification to the Challenge Finals, while the second-placed teams from each group proceeded to the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ)[4][5].
The tournament ran from January 6 to 12, 2025, with the streams of the first four days starting at 10 a.m. CET (Europe) / 4 a.m. ET (North America East) / 1 a.m. PT (North America West), and the final two days starting at 8 a.m. CET (Europe) / 2 a.m. ET (North America East) / 11 p.m. of the previous day PT (North America West)[5].
Group Stage Results
The Group Stage was a pivotal part of the tournament, with several teams standing out due to their impressive performances:
- Group A: ONIC Philippines, the recent winners of the M6 World Championship, topped the group with a perfect 2-0 record. Their dominance was a testament to their skill and strategy, making them one of the top teams to watch in the upcoming Challenge Finals. Blacklist International came in second and advanced to the LCQ, showing that they are still a force to be reckoned with in the MLBB scene[1][4].
- Group B: RRQ Hoshi emerged as the top performers, securing their spot in the Challenge Finals. Their performance was marked by strong team coordination and individual skill, which will be crucial in the next stages of the tournament. Alter Ego finished second and moved to the LCQ, indicating that they have the potential to make a comeback in the competition[1][4].
- Group C: Evos Holy performed well and advanced to the Challenge Finals. Their consistent gameplay and strategic decisions paid off, earning them a spot among the top teams. Team Liquid Indonesia came second and proceeded to the LCQ, showing that they are capable of competing at a high level[1][4].
- Group D: Bigetron Alpha from Indonesia took the first position and seized a spot in the Challenge Finals. Their victory highlighted the competitive depth of Indonesian teams in the MLBB scene. Aurora Gaming finished second and reached the LCQ, demonstrating their resilience and determination[1][4].
Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) Results
The LCQ was a high-stakes stage where teams fought for the last two spots in the Challenge Finals. Here are the key outcomes:
- Aurora Gaming won both their matches against Blacklist International and Team Liquid Indonesia, securing their spot in the Challenge Finals. Their victories showcased their ability to perform under pressure and adapt to different opponents[1][5].
- Team Liquid Indonesia defeated Alter Ego in their decisive match to qualify for the Challenge Finals. This win was a result of their strong team synergy and the ability to execute complex strategies effectively[1][5].
Qualified Teams for the Challenge Finals
A total of six teams qualified from the Challenge Season:
- ONIC Philippines
- RRQ Hoshi
- Evos Holy
- Bigetron Alpha
- Aurora Gaming
- Team Liquid Indonesia
These teams will join six invited teams – Falcons AP.Bren, ONIC Esports, Selangor Red Giants, NIP Flash, See You Soon, and Falcon Esports – in the Challenge Finals. The invited teams bring additional depth and competition to the event, ensuring that the Challenge Finals will be highly contested[2][4].
Challenge Finals Format and Schedule
The Challenge Finals will take place from February 10 to 16, 2025, at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre in Johor, Malaysia. Here’s an overview of the format:
- Group Stage: February 10-12, 2025. The 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six, competing in a single round-robin format with all matches being Bo3.
- Playoffs: February 14-16, 2025. The top three teams from each group will advance to the playoffs, where they will compete in a knockout format to determine the final standings.
- Prize Pool: The top teams will compete for a share of the $150,000 prize pool. The top five teams from this tournament will also qualify for the international Mobile Masters 2025 in April, which offers a significant prize pool of $200,000 and the honor of becoming the first-ever global SPS MLBB champions[2][3].
Mobile Masters MLBB 2025
The Mobile Masters MLBB 2025, scheduled from April 11 to 13, 2025, at the Tennis Indoor Stadium Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia, is the culmination of the Snapdragon Pro Series Year 3 for MLBB. This event brings together 12 of the world’s top MLBB teams, including ten teams that qualify through the Season 6 Regional Mobile Challenge Finals, one team from the Chinese MLBB qualifier, and Team Liquid ID representing the host nation Indonesia.
The tournament format includes a Group Stage from April 7 to 9, 2025, where teams are split into groups to compete for a spot in the next round. The top six teams advance to the playoffs, leading to the Grand Finals on April 13, where the two strongest teams will battle for the lion’s share of the $200,000 prize pool and the first-ever Mobile Masters MLBB world championship title[2].
Where to Watch
All matches of the Snapdragon Pro Series Season 6 APAC can be streamed on the official ESL Mobile channel. This ensures that fans worldwide can follow the action live and catch up on any missed matches through VODs available in the results section[5].
Teams at a Glance
Here is a list of the teams that will be competing in the Challenge Finals:
| Team | Region |
|---|---|
| ONIC Philippines | Philippines |
| RRQ Hoshi | Indonesia |
| Evos Holy | Indonesia |
| Bigetron Alpha | Indonesia |
| Aurora Gaming | Philippines |
| Team Liquid ID | Indonesia |
| Falcons AP.Bren | Invited |
| ONIC Esports | Invited |
| Selangor Red Giants | Invited |
| NIP Flash | Invited |
| See You Soon | Invited |
| Falcon Esports | Invited |
Each team brings its unique strengths and strategies, making the competition highly unpredictable and exciting.
Conclusion
The Snapdragon MLBB Pro Series Challenge Season APAC has set the stage for an exhilarating season of MLBB esports. With top teams from the region competing for prestigious spots and a significant prize pool, the Challenge Finals promise to be a highlight of the esports calendar. As the teams prepare for the next stages, fans are eagerly anticipating the intense battles and strategic gameplay that will unfold.
