The second day of Nexus Academia (June 11) at SMX Hall 1 turned into a full-blown fiesta, blending esports exhibitions with creator meetups and a bustling exhibitor floor. College students flooded in to catch headlining Mobile Legends: Bang Bang showmatches and explore dozens of gaming and tech booths. Organized by Tier One Entertainment, Day 2 felt like a giant campus expo where “gaming meets career fun”.

Esports Showmatches and Creator Appearances

The afternoon’s main events were the friendly MLBB showmatches. First up was Team Jollibee vs. a Creators/Ex-Pro Squad. Team Jollibee’s lineup – including Jollibee, Hetty, Twirlie, Popo, and Yum – battled a team of former pro players and popular streamers. Notable names on the ex-pro/creators side were Chinito Walkers and ex-pros Eyon and Steve. The match was tight and entertaining, with fans cheering every clutch play. Team Jollibee ultimately edged out the creators’ squad in a close game.

The next showmatch pitted BLACKLIST International’s MLBB Women’s Team against the National University Bulldogs Esports Team. This matchup – pro players vs. collegiate squad – drew loud cheers as fans watched the collegiate underdogs take on seasoned pros. Both games were played in a light‑hearted spirit, keeping the crowd engaged throughout the afternoon.

Between matches, creators and esports figures mingled with fans. For example, students formed lines at Tier One’s dedicated meet‑and‑greet corner to snap photos with MLBB stars and influencers. Attendees were able to meet the women’s MLBB team and the gaming content creators in attendance. Foodie-vloggers Chinito Walkers were on hand to meet fans and even play in the showmatch. The event let students interact directly with online personalities, from friendly MLBB players to YouTubers known in the gaming scene.

Gaming Vendors & Tech-Focused Booths

Beyond the esports, on the tech and gaming side of the floor. Brands and gaming lifestyle partners transformed their booths into interactive hubs, offering hands-on demos, raffles, giveaways, and exclusive merch drops. There were even arcade machines to play some classics!

Pixel by Eplayment was one of the most visited booths, letting attendees test high-performance mechanical keyboards, gaming mice, and headsets. They even ran a raffle for fans to win premium gear. Another partner, TTRacing brought in their signature ergonomic gaming chairs for fans to try out. It included a photo zone and a grand raffle that gave away a top-tier model by day’s end. Tier One, of course, continued their Tekken 7 tournament, this time to crown the “Day 2 Champion”.

The energy drink and lifestyle brand Alt+F4 also had a strong presence with their photocards, limited-run giveaways, and drink sampling. Their booth was a magnet for student gamers looking to boost their energy while stocking up on swag. Meanwhile, the Jollibee GameJoy booth ran once again — combining photo ops, mini-games, and exclusive promos tied to their GameJoy meals.

From tech demos to fandom freebies, the expo floor was alive with options for student gamers looking to explore, test, and take home a piece of the action.

Anime Merch Booths

Other than gaming, Nexus Academia Day 2 treated anime fans to a vibrant, Japanese-themed section of the expo hall. Walking through the aisle felt like stepping into Japan— with torii-inspired arches, paper lanterns, cosplay props, and gacha capsule machines.

A highlight of the zone was the OnLive booth by JJKJ Kreative (Booth A13), a collaborative setup featuring numerous artists. Their tables were stacked with anime-inspired merch ranging from art prints and acrylic keychains to stickers and mini-games. Another major draw was Aezer, which catered directly to Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail fans, offering official character figures, posters, and limited-edition apparel.

For toy collectors and casual fans alike, Art Toys PH delivered the nostalgia and novelty with blind-box figurines and a working gacha machine — adding an element of chance that kept attendees coming back for more. The entire zone radiated creative energy, giving students a chance to geek out and grab fandom finds in between panels and matches.

Nexus Academia Day 2 wrapped up as a vibrant campus-style fair, where esports battles, live music, and career showcases converged. The showmatches, performances, and interactive booths proved that Nexus Academia truly has delivered a full day of inspiration for students and gamers alike.

For more information on Nexus Academia, visit their official website.

Visit Tier One Entertainment’s official website or follow them on the social media to keep up on news and updates on new events: Facebook, X(Twitter), Instagram, Tiktok.