InterActive Philippines turns late call-up into Cinderella run at Asia Pacific Predator League
NEW DELHI, India — What began as an unexpected opportunity ended in a proud third?place finish for InterActive Philippines, which turned its late qualification to the Asia Pacific Predator League 2026 into a showcase of grit, talent and composure on the international stage.
With three Filipino teams — Kukuys, Execration and Team Nemesis — withdrawing from the main event due to unforeseen circumstances, the fourth?seeded squad from the Philippine qualifiers suddenly found itself donning national colors for the Asia Pacific Predator League Finals in New Delhi, India.
"Actually, biglaan yun eh. Pasko yun eh. Nag-Merry Christmas lang yung coach namin tapos na-invite kami,” recalled midlaner John Edrian “Yona” Sandigan as the team met members of the Philippine media during the weekend.
For a young roster eager to prove themselves, the call?up was more than just a ticket to New Delhi — it was a career?defining moment.
“For me, itong opportunity na ’to, malaking tulong din siya sa career ko. Kasi ano pa ako, young player at ito na ang opportunity. Ito ’yung magbibigay exposure sa akin na mas makilala pa ako sa ibang player, ibang teams din,” said Sandigan.
Players Russel Jade “Dejej” Leoz and Neil Ivan “Fiend” Valencia echoed the excitement, especially with Predator League marking the first LAN matches of their careers.
“Good start ’to, since first time ko mag?LAN after ilang taon din na paglalaro, kaya big opportunity talaga yung binigay sa team namin,” shared Valencia.
For veterans Carlo “Carlo” Manalo and Erice “Erice” Guerra, the tournament meant more than just performance but a chance to push the younger members toward meaningful growth.
“Siguro yun, it's a good way to showcase the skills ng team since the team is still young and some of the players are still young. So, it's a stepping stone for the team to showcase the skills and look for a room for improvement,” explained Manalo.
Guerra added, “Malaking opportunity sa amin… para bumilis yung growth ng young players namin, at syempre para sa amin ni Carlo, [nag?champion] na kami dito sa Predator [League]. Magandang masimulan ’yung taon [na panalo] kami dito.”
Despite minimal preparation time, InterActive Philippines quickly proved it belonged among the region’s finest, even reaching the Upper Bracket semifinals before being relegated to the lower brackets by Indonesia’s REKONIX. The team eventually faced the Indonesian squad again in the lower bracket finals but exited the tournament at third place after a 1-2 defeat.
"For me okay naman [yung naging run] kasi dapat wala naman kami dito in a way since talo kami nung [local] qualifiers. Greatful na kami na kahit papano naging third place, medyo nakakahinayang lang kasi kaya talaga namin mag-champion,” said coach Kimuel "Kimo" Rodis.
As the tournament concluded, Acer officially announced that the eighth edition of the Asia Pacific Predator League will take place in Vietnam next year.
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