The most-attended Battle Hardened tournament in the world showcased local talent triumphing over international competition. Last weekend marked a historic moment for Philippine Flesh and Blood as Battle Hardened Manila concluded with resounding success, cementing the country’s position as a major force in the global FAB scene. Organized by Carlo Ople and Unbox Greenhills in partnership with Ludus Distributors Corp., the tournament not only achieved record attendance but also delivered one of the most competitive fields ever assembled for a Battle Hardened event.
Star-Studded International Field
The tournament attracted some of the world’s most accomplished players, creating a truly elite competitive environment. Japanese legend Shoma Yamamura, a Pro Tour and Calling winner, made the journey to Manila, alongside recent Calling champion CYK Lionel. The Southeast Asian contingent was equally impressive, featuring Malaysian powerhouse Peng Joon and Taiwan’s Yu Fan Liao, both renowned for their consistent high-level performances.
However, the international visitors would face stiff competition from the Philippines’ own elite players, including current National Champion Joniel Ibasco and Calling winner Justin Cu, setting the stage for an epic clash between global and local talent.
Philippine Dominance Emerges
What unfolded over the Battle Hardened Manila weekend was a story of home-field advantage and emerging talent. While the international stars performed admirably—with CYK Lionel piloting Dash I/O and Peng Joon commanding Florian, both reaching the Top 8—they ultimately fell to rising Philippine stars.
The breakthrough story belonged to 15-year-old Juan Manuel Gatus, whose exceptional Kano gameplay dominated the 9 rounds of Swiss and eliminated the seasoned CYK Lionel in the Top 8. Meanwhile, Poch Illana, representing Team Value Town and fresh off a Top 4 finish at Nationals 2025, dispatched Peng Joon with his Victor deck.
All-Filipino Top 4 Secures Victory
The elimination of the international contenders paved the way for an unprecedented all-Filipino Top 4, ensuring that the Battle Hardened title would remain on home soil. The Top 8 field represented the best of Philippine Flesh and Blood:
Top 8 Final Standings:
- Poch Illana (Victor) – Champion
- Edric Ramos (Arakni Marionette) – Runner-up
- Juan Manuel Gatus (Kano)
- Keenan Fernandez (Kassai)
- Oniel De Leon (Cindra)
- Janbert Dela Cruz (Florian)
- CYK Lionel (Dash I/O)
- Peng Joon (Florian)
The finals featured an all-Philippine showdown between Poch Illana and fellow Nationals Top 8 competitor Edric Ramos, with Poch’s Victor hard-hitting Victor deck proving superior against Edric’s Assassin.
Notable performances included Keenan Fernandez, widely regarded as the Philippines’ premier Kassai player, Oniel De Leon – also from Team Value Town and the only Cindra to make the cut, and Janbert Dela Cruz, Baguio’s finest player, who expressed his excitement about Florian’s return to competitive viability.
Side Event Dominance Continues
The success didn’t end with the main event. On Sunday, the tournament circuit saw continued excellence from both international and local competitors:
ProQuest+ Championship: Shoma Yamamura claimed redemption by winning the ProQuest+ event, piloting Florian to victory against Janbert Dela Cruz in an intricate runechant-stacking mirror match, proving his world-class caliber across multiple formats.
Gadget Cup Victory: Poch Illana demonstrated remarkable consistency by capturing the Gadget Cup with the same Victor deck that earned him the Battle Hardened title just one day prior, completing an impressive weekend double.
Regional Meta Diversity
Battle Hardened Manila showcased the unique landscape of Southeast Asian Flesh and Blood. With simultaneous Battle Hardened tournaments in Chicago and Munich featuring distinctly different metagames, Manila’s results highlighted the region’s preference for unconventional heroes and innovative strategies.
Remarkably, Victor has now claimed… victory in two of the three Battle Hardened tournaments held in Manila, with Eugene C’s Rhinar triumph being the exception (though it still follows the trend of BH events here being won by off-meta Heroes).
You can check out the video recap of the whole weekend by Bret Limjoco HERE.
Looking Forward
The overwhelming success of Battle Hardened Manila has elevated expectations within the local community. With such a remarkable display of organizational excellence and competitive prowess, hopes are high that 2026 will see the return of an even larger Calling tournament to Philippine shores.
The tournament proved that the Philippines has firmly established itself as a major force in international Flesh and Blood, capable of hosting world-class events while developing homegrown talent that can compete with—and defeat—the world’s best players.
Congratulations to all the winners, and special recognition goes to the organizing team: Carlo Ople, Unbox Greenhills, and Ludus Distributors Corp. for delivering what may have been the most successful Battle Hardened tournament to date. The future of Flesh and Blood in the Philippines has never looked brighter, and Battle Hardened Manila 2025 will be remembered as the tournament that announced the arrival of new competitive local talents on the global stage.
Read More:
A New Era Dawns: The Story of Flesh and Blood TCG Philippine Nationals 2025 – VRSUS
The Ten Heroes That Ruled The FaB Nationals 2025 Season – VRSUS
