The Vibes Asian Championship at the YGG Play Summit wrapped up in Manila with Filipino player John Fitzgerald “Oxtraxex” Poculan emerging as the tournament’s first regional champion. Representing the web3 gaming guild 8888, he secured a US$4,000 prize after defeating guildmate Jerald Jay “Asamax” Pamiloza in a tightly contested final that capped off two days of competition. The event marked the first Asian championship for Orange Cap Games’ Vibes trading card game, which uses the Pudgy Penguins IP.
A Breakout Win in Manila’s Expanding TCG Scene
The championship became a defining moment for Oxtraxex, who traveled from Zamboanga Sibugay for what was his first in-person competitive TCG event. While new to tournament play in a physical setting, he had been active in the game’s online environment since its Season 0 launch in December 2024. His victory against Asamax, who entered the final after a 10-game winning streak, added a notable upset to the tournament’s closing match.
The top 8 lineup also featured established names from the regional card game community. Hearthstone pros CaraCute and Staz reached the quarterfinals while also competing in Ubisoft’s Might & Magic: Fates’ debut tournament at the same Summit. Magic: The Gathering competitors Eton Delmoro, MoisesOng, and Cholo Pascual rounded out the group. Many Filipino players had already built rivalries through recurring YGG Pilipinas community tournaments, giving the Manila event a familiar competitive dynamic.
Format, Structure, and Competitive Highlights
The Vibes Asian Championship used a Swiss+1 structure, allowing participants to play multiple rounds before the top performers advanced to a single-elimination bracket. Up to 12 card proxies were permitted, ensuring accessibility and minimizing card rarity barriers during deck-building. After the first day of matches, the top 8 players progressed and eventually competed for their share of the US$20,000 prize pool. The top 32 finishers received payouts, with Magic: The Gathering Premier Judge Sashi Balakrishnan overseeing the proceedings.
Vibes tasks players with constructing “huddles” made up of penguin characters, action cards, and relics. The design focuses on accessibility while offering strategic depth for fans of games such as Magic: The Gathering, Disney Lorcana, and One Piece. Following the event, Orange Cap Games co-founder Elliot Kahn presented the championship title to Oxtraxex, also confirming that all top 8 competitors would receive invitations to the Vibes 2025 World Championship at SCG CON Portland in January 2026.
Major Esports Events and Industry Updates at the Summit
The Vibes Asian Championship was only one part of the broader YGG Play Summit schedule. The US$100,000 YGG Parallel Showdown concluded with former Hearthstone professional Viper taking the top spot. Ubisoft’s Might & Magic: Fates made its esports debut, with YGG Esports player Tyler winning the inaugural competition.
Industry leaders also took the stage during the Summit’s Town Hall sessions, including representatives from Sky Mavis, OpenSea, Pixels, and Gunzilla Games. Discussions centered on current developments in gaming, player-owned economies, and the evolving role of web3 technologies. Additionally, our second annual GAM3 Awards recognized standout titles, with Gunzilla’s Off The Grid earning five awards, including Game of the Year, while Mythical Games’ Pudgy Party won Best Mobile Game and Best Casual Game.
A Look Inside the “City of Play”
The Summit’s City of Play expo covered four themed districts designed to support competitive play, game discovery, and community learning. The Arena hosted esports events, the Player District provided hands-on access to leading web3 games, and the Degen District catered to crypto-native participants. The Skill District delivered workshops and educational sessions led by YGG’s Metaversity, including Base’s Prompt to Prototype no-code development workshop for aspiring game creators.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Vibes Asian Championship?
It is a regional tournament for the Vibes TCG, organized as part of the YGG Play Summit, featuring top players from the Philippines and across Asia.
Who won the Vibes Asian Championship in 2025?
Filipino player John Fitzgerald “Oxtraxex” Poculan won the championship, representing web3 gaming guild 8888.
What is Vibes?
Vibes is a trading card game by Orange Cap Games that uses the Pudgy Penguins IP and focuses on accessible but strategic gameplay.
How large was the prize pool?
The tournament featured a US$20,000 prize pool, distributed among the top 32 finishers.
Where will the Vibes 2025 World Championship take place?
The event is scheduled for SCG CON Portland from January 23–26, 2026.
What is the YGG Play Summit?
The YGG Play Summit is a major player-focused web3 gaming event that includes esports tournaments, developer talks, workshops, and community-focused programming.
