In case you missed the memo, it’s worth noting that the Southeast Asian region is well-represented at the esteemed Esports Award 2023, slated to unfold in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, on November 30, 2023. Standing out in this recognition are two prominent Filipinos, Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol and Abed “Abed” Yusop, both of whom have earned well-deserved nominations in the Best Play of The Year 2023 category.
On Thursday, June 1 2023, the Esports Awards unveiled the eighth edition of this illustrious event, marking a return to the neon-lit streets of Las Vegas for the second consecutive year. This celebration is a grand ode to the crème de la crème of the esports domain, acknowledging the prowess of players, teams, influencers, journalists, and more across a myriad of categories.
Within the roster of categories at this extravaganza, Kairi and Abed emerge as contenders in the fiercely contested Best Play of the Year category, an accolade reserved for esports athletes who have etched extraordinary moments onto the canvas of major competitions throughout the tapestry of 2023.
They will compete with popular names such as Saul Leonardo “MenaRD” Mena II (Street Fighters), Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov (CS:GO), Axel “Vatira” Touret (Rocket League), and Matyas “Carzzy” Orsag (League of Legends), who have successfully captivated many viewers in the competitive scene this season.
In this particular category, Kairi claimed the limelight as he played a pivotal role in guiding Onic Esports to triumph over the reigning MLBB M4 Echo champions during the lower bracket semi-finals of MSC 2023 in Cambodia last June.
This contest etched itself into the annals of international MLBB competitions, marking a historic moment and solidifying its place as one of the lengthiest encounters on record. Subsequently, Onic powered through to the grand finals, where they clinched their second championship title in this competition.
Meanwhile, Abed seized the spotlight as he stole the attention of Dota 2 fans in the North American scene, delivering standout performances during a match in the Dota 2 Pro Circuit 2023 NA Tour 3, where Shopify Rebellion squared off against TSM. Beyond the DPC circuit, the 23-year-old Filipino, now donning the colors of Blacklist Rivalry, garnered accolades from pundits for his huge contributions to the team, establishing himself as a shining star amidst celebrated teammates such as Artour “Arteezy” Babaev and Andreas “Cr1t” Nielsen.
The race for the Best Play of the Year title remains wide open, with voting accessible until November 25, 2023. Fans from every corner of the globe are urged to cast their votes and rally behind the representatives of the SEA region by visiting the following link. The arena is charged with anticipation as esports enthusiasts unite to shape the destiny of these standout athletes in the heart of Las Vegas.
