On the 16th JAN, gaming team formed by 5 members of MNL48, Kath (20), Klaire (19), Yzabel (20), Miho (21), and Jem (22), won the “Pokémon UNITE AKB48 Group Invitational,” an online competition for the popular game “Pokémon UNITE” on Nintendo DS and smartphone apps.
The tournament is part of the Pokémon festival, joined by two teams each from JKT48, BNK48, MNL48, and CGM48, called “Pokémon Battle Festival Asia 2021” which’d kicked off last November. The four teams that won the group stage matches on January 8th and 9th competed in the semifinals and finals on this day.
The two teams that made it to the finals were Padayon, who ousted Very Vary of BNK48 in the semifinals with two straight wins, and Yummy Remote from BNK48, who defeated SteZie of CGM48 by score of 2-1.The rule was set to have a team chosen with their favorite Pokémon character to form a team of 5 to fight a 10-minute battle. The finals were played on a first to take the three-win game.
Round 1 and Round 2 was won consecutively by Padayon, where Yzabel took the leadership and took the check mate.
However, Yummy Remote, consisting of Namsai (22), Kaimook (24), Jennis (21), Jane (21), and Kate (20), who are all over 20 years old, also gave best effort, going into the third round, Jane and Namsai fought hard to and to took back 1 win, and Jennis was so utterly excited she jumped up from her chair.
Padayon remained very strong, with Yzabel scoring 284 points by herself and dominated the fourth run with a double score of 756 against 315 points. Winning the championship in style.
In Manila the 5 members were unable to get together due to covid and, had to compete from their homes. In the victory interview, Miho, who is a mixed half of Japanese and Philippine, said out loud “I can’t control my feelings. I’m so happy, my body is shaking!”.
Kath spoke with emotion, “I was a little sad not to see everyone, but I’m happy to have won. And Jem said, “I’ve been a big fan of Pokémon since the first generation when I was a kid, and I love the game, so I’m doubly happy to have won! I’m thrilled”. Yzabel, wearing headphones, also overreacted with a smile and said, “Oh my gosh, I did it! I’m so happy I can’t really put it into words, I think I’m going to cry. Thank you so much, everyone!”.
Pokémon UNITE AKB48 Group Invitational | Pokémon Battle Festival Asia 2021
◆Playoffs (16th Jan 2022)
https://youtu.be/wlb836Kxnyw
◆Group stage Day1 (8th Jan 2022)
https://youtu.be/3e7lov1QW84
◆Group stage Day2 (9th Jan 2022)
https://youtu.be/VqjaPEbv55I
◆Official webite
Pokémon Battle Festival Asia 2021 Pokémon UNITE