RAYBRENT “B3NG” Iglecias successfully defended his Super Smash Bros. Ultimate title after taking down Patrick “Kkura” Pagdato, 3-2, in a best-of-five championship series at the Rotaract Club of Saipan’s Summer Showdown Vol. 2 at Pepoy’s Café and Restaurant in Susupe on Saturday.
Iglecias, a counselor at Tinian Jr./Sr. High School, said this year’s event was “a bigger challenge than what I faced in the last tournament. The competition here is crazy — everyone improved and I was actually nervous and had to resort to ‘cheap tactics’ to win.”
Iglecias mainly used Peach throughout the tournament, but was forced to change strategy and went for Zero-Suit Samus as soon as his opponent, Patrick “Kkura” Pagdato, figured out his playing style. Iglecias used speed to overwhelm Pagdato’s character of choice, Banjo-Kazooie. “Kkura was fast to adjust — I’ll give him that,” Iglecias said.
They had to slug it out in five games before Iglecias was named the champion for the second time in a row. “I got to defend my championship and put Tinian on the map,” Iglecias said, adding that there were three other players from Tinian who flew to Saipan and participated in the tournament.
Taking third place was Gierome “Shadough” Ebora.
The future of CNMI gaming
When it comes to gaming, the community may be a bit small but the passion for competition is intense even among friends. Thanks to organizations such as the Rotaract Club of Saipan, gamers are given the opportunity to shine.
“This was way better in terms of organization and the prizes are better including the medal. I just hope that this is something the Public School System will consider one day,” said Igelcias. “We cheer for athletes but not everyone is an athlete. This is an event where all gamers can just get together. I’ve been trying to start this as well but not everyone sees gaming as nothing but a hobby, but it’s also something that can be turned into a career.”
Besides Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Igecias, enjoys role playing games such as Kingdom Hearts.
The results of the Tekken tournament as well as comments from the organizers will be featured in Variety’s next edition.
Raybrent Iglecias and Patrick Pagdato battle it out in the finals of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament of the Rotaract Club of Saipan’s Summer Showdown Vol.2 at Pepoy’s Café and Restaurant on Saturday.
Raybrent Iglecias, the two-time Super Smash Bros. champion, poses with Rotaract Club of Saipan President Richard Baleares, right, and committee head Simon Necesito, left, at the conclusion of the Rotaract Club of Saipan’s Summer Showdown Vol .2 at Pepoy’s Café and Restaurant on Saturday.
More photos from the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament of the Rotaract Club of Saipan’s Summer Showdown Vol. 2 at Pepoy’s Café and Restaurant on Saturday.
