A Thomasian played a key role as eGilas Pilipinas swept Türkiye, 64-62 and 68-60, to claim its first-ever eFIBA world championship in the Season 4 grand finals in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, July 4 (Philippine time).
Incoming financial management sophomore Miguel Carlo Hubillar was named the Most Valuable Player of the International Basketball Federation’s e-basketball tournament after averaging 24.0 points and 7.4 assists.
He also secured a spot on the All-Star Five alongside fellow Filipinos Kenneth Gutierrez and Joshua Machado.
The historic title came after the Philippines finished fourth in both the 2023 and 2024 editions of the tournament.
“Sobrang saya, … first year ko tapos champion agad. It cannot get any better than that,” Hubillar, who also plays for the UST Teletigers’ NBA 2K squad, told the Varsitarian.
“Matagal kong pinaghandaan ‘to. I prepared for this for a very long time. I just needed an opportunity. And once the opportunity was given, I made sure that I was there and I was gonna deliver. And I’m very thankful na ganoon ‘yong nangyari.”
Hubillar said the team spent more than a year preparing for the tournament, highlighted by a monthlong boot camp before the competition.
eGilas opened its campaign with victories over France, Algeria and Germany in the group stage before eliminating Lebanon, 67-58, in the upper-bracket semifinals.
The Philippines suffered its lone defeat against France in the upper-bracket finals, 61-52, but bounced back with consecutive wins, 63-59 and 67-64, to book a place in the championship round.
After consecutive fourth-place finishes in previous editions, Hubillar said stronger team chemistry proved to be the difference in their title run.
He also credited his experience as the UST Teletigers’ senior high school team manager for helping him remain composed in pressure-filled situations.
“Nakatulong sa akin doon ‘yong learning how to compose yourself during high-stakes games. ‘Yan ‘yong sigurong pinaka-natutunan ko,” Hubillar said. “Kahit anong mangyari sa game, kung mag-struggle, alam kong paano hindi ma-rattle. Alam kong paano maging composed.”
In UAAP Season 87, the UST Teletigers Esports Club settled for silver after being swept by the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the NBA 2K25 tournament.
Following that runner-up finish, Hubillar now hopes to carry his eFIBA success over to the Teletigers.
“Hopefully, makapaglaro ako sa UAAP and win gold for UST and I want to run it back next year sa World Finals,” he said.
