The Lowdown – Super Smash Bros. at ESGS

Seven days from now, the largest Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. 4 tournament will take place at the SMX Convention Center during the Electronic Sports And Gaming Summit (ESGS) 2015. Happening over a span of two days, from October 24-25, it is set to feature top talents for both games from all over the Philippines. Registration-wise, there hasn’t been a tournament larger than this to date.

In order to help newcomers to the scene familiarize themselves with the contenders attending the event and the story lines that come with them, we at eSports Inquirer have prepared a comprehensive Lowdown for the event. Keep in mind that the author is featuring only five ‘contenders’ per game for length’s sake. Players not mentioned may actually outplace or even win the tournament outright.

To give a short background on the competitive community’s history, one can read the documentary articles written by the author himself over at Melee It On Me. A recap of last year’s ESGS can also be found there. The series tells the story of the scene’s founders and most influential figureheads David “SpicyD” Cayuca, Stephen “Steefdood” Reverente and the like.

Why?

“Why are all these people competing in a Nintendo game?” some readers may ask. Super Smash Bros. started as a party game, meant to be played with friends and family, the community knows this. Even with the game’s own creator stating his disdain for competitive play, a huge following exists for it in the Philippines. Yes, they could play other, more viable games like Crossfire or Dota 2 yet they stick with Super Smash Bros. 

Fighting games in general require deadly precision and Super Smash Bros. is no different. Every move in the series like ‘teching’, ‘wavedashing’ and the various ‘cancels’ only work within small fractions of a second. The game was never built with this in mind but as time goes on, players find ways to further optimize their gameplay.

The game can’t be played at computer shops nor can it be played at places like Timezone. In fact, players lug heavy setups and equipment across Metro Manila just to share their love of the game with others. All because they love the game and more importantly, the community.

Charles “ShampooMaster” Noel shares his reasoning as to why he still plays the game:

“Smash is where the competition is. “

The Regions

Being the latest game in the series, Super Smash Bros. 4 is the larger of the two events at a total of 52 confirmed attendees. Super Smash Bros. Melee, being a new game to major tournaments in the Manila regions, has an entry count of 32.

Ranging from South Manila powerhouse Don “DYG” Giron to North Manila veterans like Gaston “Hypebeast“ Dualan, the event will gather every top player in the country save for Iloilo City’s Dominic “Dropkix” Noche, Chad “Bino” Calmorin and Sj “Milkman” Bentain. Putting things short, it’ll be stacked to the brim.

The South at Versus Majors 2. Courtesy of Playbook’s Facebook page.

The Southern Manila region is undeniably the strongest Super Smash Bros. 4 one at the moment with them being at the forefront of the metagame. They converge every week at the Playbook Lounge and Bookshop to train with each other (and drink some refreshing Mountain Dew). Moreover, the country’s best Ganondorf specialist Marc “RobertZombie” Natividad says that the South is the most passionate scene.

“They’re the most passionate about the game out of all of us,” he said.

Melee in the South also has a strong following. Based primarily at Playbox, Southern Melee or ‘The Group’ players regularly mingle with the North.

Notable Players Attending ESGS:

• Denis “Guppy” Giron (Smash 4: Peach)
• Myk “L1nk” Villaflor (Smash 4: Fox, Marth, Megaman) (Melee: Falco)
• Don “DYG” Giron (Smash 4: Mario, Marth) (Melee: Falco, Marth)
• Enzo “Stats” Prats (Smash 4: Sheik)
• Justin “Cheese” Labad (Smash 4: Pikachu)
• Leo “Leo” Vacal (Smash 4: Link) (Melee: Link, Marth)
• Raphael “Cloister” Alcantara (Melee: Sheik, Marth)
• Mikel “Godz” Godinez (Smash 4: Mario)
• Jason “Rizal” de Ramos (Smash 4: Kirby) (Melee: Ice Climbers)
• Ezekiel “Ziek” Sevilla (Melee: Falco)

The aftermath of the North’s arcadian (beginners) tournament. Courtesy of Jag Garcia.

Northern Manila, considered by most to be the scene’s veterans, dabble in both games but falter to the South at times in Super Smash Bros 4. Led by Edrian “Mandla” Chua  and Alex “Destimo” van Schoonhoven, the Rumpus Room at Cubao Expo (the country’s nerd capital) hosts their staple weeklies. Home to the scene’s founders, the North is and will always be a stable force in the scene.

If you could describe the Northerners in one word, it’d be ‘resilient’.  From Project Melee  to Super Smash Bros. 4 to Super Smash Bros. Melee and back, the North’s players never fail adapt and always come back in a strong way. To top it all of, they’re mostly college students but they always find a way to juggle the game and school.

Expect to see some smart ‘larong matanda’ (Old Man Style, basically defensive gameplay) and hype plays from them.

Notable Players Attending ESGS:

• Juan Miguel “Licky” Champo (Smash 4: Shulk, Sheik, Robin) (Melee: Fox, Marth)
• Gaston “Hypebeast” Dualan (Smash 4: Greninja)
• Mauro “Weiner” Dualan (Smash 4: Ganondorf)
• Robert “Desperado” Locsin (Smash 4: Sheik)
• Patrick “DJR” Levy (Smash 4: Mario)
• Jorem “Greyman” Olivarez (Melee: Marth)

The Central Scene alongside a few of the Northerners and Southerners after a successful Smash Fort. Courtesy of Arion Marin.

Central Manila players, on the other hand, are neophytes to the competitive scene but have multiple top-level players in their arsenal. Although their scene started a mere few months ago, they’ve already amassed a large amount of people for their weekly event, the Smash Fort. While they do have Super Smash Bros. Melee set-ups during their events, they have yet to compete in a full on tournament.

Notable Players Attending ESGS:

• Kendrick “MarioExpertKen” Cheah (Smash 4: Dr. Mario, Jigglypuff) (Melee:
• Arion “Arihead” Marin (Smash 4: Link)
• Daniel “DJLive” de Jesus (Smash 4: Luigi, Yoshi)
• Adrian “Enigwa” Marin (Smash 4: Wario)
• John “Khei” Aquino (Smash 4: Pikachu)

Iloilo’s first Turbo Major plus Ukie, a popular Filipino Let’s Player. Courtesy of Ryan Josue.

Lastly, Iloilo (one of the two Visayas scenes), is not that well known in the Super Smash Bros. 4 realm due to a lack of cross-island competition, set-ups and their focus on Super Smash Bros. Melee and Project Melee.

Since most of their players are high school and college students, they do not have regular events. Instead, they have bi-monthly majors at conventions or the Sarabia Manor Hotel organized by the author, Justin “Popi” Banusing and Ryan “Blank” Josue.

Notable Players Attending ESGS:

• Kyle “KG” Geonzon (Smash 4: Marth) (Melee: Marth)
• Jb “Jibs” Zayco (Melee: Captain Falcon)
• Justin “Popi” Banusing (Melee: Ice Climbers, Sheik)  (Smash 4: Meta Knight, Zero Suit Samus, Pikachu, Sonic, Sheik)

As challengers rise and fall, this event might just be the cornerstone towards other regions’ time to shine or the metaphorical double tap to confirm Southern superiority.

The Contenders (Smash 4)

IPT | Patrick “DJR” Levy		Since the dawn of Super Smash Bros. 4, none have dominated the scene like Patrick “DJR” Levy did late 2014 to early 2015. While he isn’t attending events as much as he did before due to a state of semi-retirement, that doesn’t mean that he isn’t one of the best players around anymore. In fact, his top 2 placing at the Manila Cup proves that the Philippine’s first plumber has still got in in him. Will DJR show up and defend his title or will South take his crown as ESGS champion?
Mains:	Mario
Region:	Northern Manila
Sponsor:	Imperium Pro Team
Notable Tournaments
Alva	For Glory		ESGS 2014	Playbook Major 1	Manila Cup
1st	1st		1st	1st	2nd

PBE | Don “DYG” Giron		Consistency is the name of the game for Don “DYG” Giron. Always playing solidly, DYG places in the upper echelon of players at every major event. While he originally mained the Akaneian hero-king Marth, he was influenced by DJR to pick up Mario. Ever since then, he’s been one of the top players in the country and has even taken sets off of the player who inspired him. DYG enters ESGS fresh off a loss from DJR but otherwise favored to place top eight. He might just defy everyone’s expectations and place 1st but also has the potential to get knocked out earlier than usual if he faces the right people.
Mains:	Mario
Region:	Southern Manila
Sponsor:	Playbook eSports
Notable Tournaments
VS Circuit Finals	Manila Cup		Imperium April	Playbook Cup	Playbook Major 2
1st	3rd		1st	4th	3rd

Adrian “Enigwa“ Marin		Adrian “Enigwa” Marin is the scene’s most curious case. Coming in at a random monthly and having never entered a tournament in his entire life, he bodied every single of one of the scene’s top players. Has it been mentioned that he isn’t even 18 yet? Being one of the few Wario mains the Philippines, Enigwa demolishes opponents not because of their unfamiliarity with the character but because his mental and mechanical abilities are unparalleled. On bad days, he fails to show up and has mediocre placings. On good days, he comes in, sends opponents to his signature ‘Fart Club’  and wins tournaments without losing a single match. Will ESGS be a good or bad day for the country’s young wafter?
Mains:	Wario
Region:	Central Manila
Sponsor:	None
Notable Tournaments
Imperium July	Playbook Cup		Imperium October
1st	1st		1st

PBE | Mikel “Godz“ Godinez		The ‘dunk lord’ himself, Mikel “Godz” Godinez plays for the people. While this may have cost him some matches before, he never fails to amaze audiences with his flashy play-style. His breakout performance was the Manila Cup tournament, where he finally defeated the people who used to consistently beat him; namely DYG and DJR. The question remains, is Godz going to carry the momentum of Manila Cup with him?
Mains:	Mario
Region:	Southern Manila
Sponsor:	Playbook eSports
Notable Tournaments
Imperium July	Imperium April		VS Circuit Finals	Manila Cup
4th	2nd		2nd	1st

Justin “Cheese” Labad		The ‘x-factor’ of the tournament, Justin “Cheese” Labad is arguably the best Pikachu main in the country. His placings go all over the place, ranging from 1st place finishes at majors to middle-of-the-road placings elsewhere. What he lacks in consistency, he makes up for in hype. Both optimal AND exciting, Cheese is one of the scene’s most prolific GIF-worthy play producers. Nonetheless, Cheese can easily take games off the country’s best and given the right bracket, he might just take the entire tournament.
Mains:	Pikachu
Region:	Southern Manila
Sponsor:	None
Notable Tournaments
DI: Day Of Independence	Manila Cup		Playbook Cup
1st	4th		5th

The Contenders (Melee)

Melee has had a tough road over the past year in the country. A scene for it has never existed and demand for it was low. It was only due to the combined efforts of the Rumpus Room, Playbox, Playbook, Iloilo Smash and other regional organizations that the game was finally given a chance.

As Super Smash Bros. Melee is a new game to the Philippine competitive scene (aside from Iloilo), notable tournament results include Project Melee placings due to the games’ similarity.

TD | Kyle “KG” Geonzon		Hailing from Southern California, the world’s largest Super Smash Bros. Melee region, Kyle “KG” Geonzon is no slouch to the game. In fact, he’s been playing the game almost since its release and has attended events like Major League Gaming Anaheim during the scene’s golden age. His playstyle revolves around hard reads instead of tech skill and because of this, he has a rock-paper-scissors type relationship with JB “Jibs” Zayco and Chad “Bino” Calmorin. Whereas KG has a positive win rate on the former, the latter has a positive record against him. Now that he’s moved to the Philippines to study Nursing, he brings with him a degree of experience that no one in the scene has. This is his last year in the country before graduating and so, he strives to take the national championship before leaving. Recently, Myk “L1nk” Villaflor (a Southern Melee veteran) challenged him to a match to decide whose region is the best at the game. KG accepted and is now set to fight what may be the most hyped up match in the Philippine scene’s history. The dream may or may not be real for KG but one thing’s for sure, he’s coming in set on winning.
Mains:	Marth,  Falco,  Peach
Region:	Southern California/Iloilo
Sponsor:	TD
Notable Tournaments
CosplayFest Arena	Turbo Trashdown		Smash:Iloilo	Turbo Independence
2nd	1st		2nd	1st

TD | JB “Jibs” Zayco		Another US import, JB “Jibs” Zayco also competed in the US scene before moving to Iloilo for college. Unlike KG however, Jibs still has another year of college and year less of experience. Experience isn’t everything though, and Jibs proves that. A Captain Falcon specialist, his true test will come when he faces Juan “Licky” Champo, considered the country’s best at ESGS. Playing with a playstyle that some would describe as “reckless”, no matter what his results may be, he’s going to stomp some opponents into oblivion.
Mains:	Captain Falcon.  Falco
Region:	Southern California/Iloilo
Sponsor:	TD
Notable Tournaments
CosplayFest Arena	Turbo Trashdown		Smash:Iloilo	Turbo Independence
1st	3rd		1st	1st

RR | Juan Miguel “Licky” Champo		The Philippine scene’s posterboy, Juan “Licky” Champo isn’t just a meme, he’s the the dream. His popularity as a player isn’t just due to his appearance on mugs, t-shirts and even the official banner. It’s his skill. While he is also a contender for Super Smash Bros. 4 with his signature topless Shulk, he is primarily know for his Super Smash Bros. Melee prowess. Proficient with almost every character in the roster, he has beaten pretty much everyone in the Manila regions. The arrival of the Ilonggo Smashers may hold many challenges for Licky but as the test of time has proven, he’ll put up a astounding fight.
Mains:	Captain Falcon.  Fox
Region:	Northern Manila
Sponsor:	Rumpus Room
Notable Tournaments
Tournament M	Maylay Mayhem 1		Maylay Mayhem 2	For Glory
1st	3rd		1st	2nd

SC | Ezekiel “Krystal” Sevilla		A rising Melee star, Ezekiel “Krystal” Sevilla  is a product of the Playbox crew or ‘The Group’. Initially a Super Smash Bros. Brawl player, his transition to Super Smash Bros. Melee has anything but rough. Maining a solid Falco, he took 3rd at Maylay Mayhem 2, the largest Super Smash Bros. Melee event to date all the while outplacing favorites like Raphael “Cloister” Alcantara. He doesn’t practice that much due to him studying to be a pilot, but never count Krystal out.
Mains:	Falco
Region:	Southern Manila
Sponsor:	Smash Caravan
Notable Tournaments
Maylay Mayhem 2
3rd

Raphael “Cloister” Alcantara		Raphael “Cloister” Alcantara is one of the South’s most prolific players and a leading Sheik specialist. His playstyle involves a combination of mindgames and fundamentals that combine into an amazing package of skill. Also a member of ‘The Group’, he has transitioned from Project Melee to Super Smash Bros. Melee with ease. His biggest weakness however, is that he has a hard time playing from behind. Last year’s ESGS was a good run for him, placing 2nd place. This year, 1st doesn’t seem so far off.
Mains:	Sheik, Secret Character
Region:	Southern Manila
Sponsor:	None
Notable Tournaments
Maylay Mayhem 2	ESGS 2014
5th	2nd

Credits to Imperium, Playbook, Playbox and the various event organizers for their videos and pictures of events. Credits to Super Smash Academy for the “What Makes Smash Different” video. Credits to the people described for their profile pictures.

• Registration Page, you can still register!
• Super Smash Bros. Philippines Facebook Group

For more Super Smash Bros. and ESGS coverage, stay tuned on Inquirer.net! Wanna talk about the Philippine Smash scene? You can reach me on Twitter @AdmiralPopi for comment and suggestions.

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