The 32nd SEA Games are currently taking place in Cambodi. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is also a part of the tournament with two separate tournaments for men and women.

For the third time running, the SEA Games are featuring esports as a medal event. Besides MLBB, the multi-sport competition, held biennially, features Attack Online 2, Crossfire, VALORANT, Wild Rift, and PUBG Mobile. The MLBB event specifically, takes place from May 12 to 14 with nine countries participating for the gold medal and glory. It’s happening at the NABA Theatre and The Olympia Mall in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Here’s everything you need to know about the SEA Games 2023 MLBB men’s tournament.

SEA Games 2023 MLBB men’s tournament: Everything you need to know

Nine countries are participating in the SEA Games 2023 MLBB. These include Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, and Timer-Leste. All countries used different methods for selecting their teams. While some organized a qualifier, others selected the best team that their country has to offer.

All participants are split into two groups. They will compete in a single round-robin best-of-one format. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs.

Source: Liquipedia

The Playoffs will feature a single-elimination bracket. All the matches will be a best-of-three, except for the Grand Finals and the bronze medal match, which will be best-of-fives.

The winner of the tournament will get the gold medal, which will contribute to the country’s overall tally in the SEA Games 2023. You can catch all the action live on the MLBB YouTube channel.

Key narratives & storylines

The two main countries to look out for in the SEA Games are unsurprisingly the Philippines and Indonesia.

While Indonesia has the most viewers in MLBB esports, the country has been eclipsed on the international stage by stiff rivals, the Philippines. This includes the M World Championships and also the SEA Games.

So far, two editions of the SEA Games have happened with MLBB as a medal event. Both times, the Philippines and Indonesia stormed into the finals with dominating performances. And on both occasions, the Philippines came out on top.

This year it’s Indonesia with the opportunity to reclaim its glory as the best region in MLBB. If the Philippines and Indonesia manage to place on top in their groups, they may meet again in the Grand Finals.

Both countries have used different methods to select their teams in the SEA Games 2023. The Philippines organized a national tournament which selected the coach and players. All five members of the squad belong to the same team – Bren Esports. Indonesia, on the other hand, used a selection process by its esports federation to determine the players in SEA Games. Thus, they have players from Evos, RRQ, and Onic on the roster.

It remains to be seen if the Philippines’ decision to send a combined roster which has competed together in the past will pay off in defending their gold medal against a formidable Indonesia.