LAOAG CITY — The University of Northern Philippines (UNP) Sharks showed unbreakable grit on the virtual battlefield, roaring back from a shaky start to snag the Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) championship at the Northwestern University Foundation Open 2026 held on March 13.
In a pulse-pounding Best-of-Five Grand Finals clash against the home squad from Northwestern University, the Sharks displayed ice-cold composure en route to a commanding 3–1 victory. The gold-medal path hit a snag early, with the Sharks dropping Game 1 to a fired-up Northwestern team.
But that stumble lit a fire. Fueled by razor-sharp tactical shifts and seamless communication, the Sharks dominated the next three maps. Star leader Kyle Purisma steered the ship with elite in-game prowess, backed by teammates Sean Servania, Paul Aized Collado, and Angelo Medrano, who unleashed consistent frags and flawless team plays. The squad got a crucial boost from Dane Luc Dolores, a Northwestern University teammate who powered their tournament run.
This isn’t just hardware for the case—it’s a power move. By conquering the Northwestern University Foundation Open, the Sharks have solidified their dominance in Northern Luzon collegiate esports. As e-sports surges in the Philippine academic scene, the UNP Sharks prove the University of Northern Philippines is a virtual terror. Riding this high, they’ve now claimed back-to-back CODM titles in the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) Region I.
Article by Alberto Cuevas Jr.
