A path to the esports professional scene.

That is one of the goals of the Collegiate Center for Esports (CCE) as it sets to launch a campus-based Mobile Legends league that will allow players to study and compete at the same time.

A total of 10 schools have agreed to participate in the inaugural CCE season: San Beda, San Sebastian, Lyceum, Letran, Perpetual, St. Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jose Rizal University, Mapua, and Perpetual.

“This will be the breeding ground of future pro players in esports,” said CCE project manager Kirs Montales in Filipino.

As things stand, aspiring players who want to reach the Mobile Legends Professional League Philippines or the planned Mobile Legends Developmental League have to be handpicked by qualified teams.

The CCE aims to give these players an avenue to showcase their skills with the benefit of education, including potential scholarships.

“It is not yet official that draftees for the MDL or MPL will come from us, but that is how we see it,” Montales said.

The CCE also seeks to promote the positive image of esports as it has become a viable career option.

Garnering more support for the esports community is part of the plan as Montales brought up the painful fate of Bren Esports, which missed the chance to play in the prestigious Valorant Masters.

Bren qualified for the Valorant Champions Tour: Stage 3 Masters in Berlin, Germany but did not see action due to visa issues.

“That shows that there is not enough support for the esports community, and with CCE and with the colleges, we can promote and enhance the community of esports,” Montales said.

Before the CCE kicks off its maiden season, it will first stage the Mobile Legends Varsity Cup, where basketball teams from the 10 NCAA schools will go up against each other starting on November 10. – Rappler.com