Progenitor’s Gambit: Philippines 2026 Recap
May 25, 2026 · Ridge Kiley
Archived article · Published May 25, 2026. Dates, pre-orders and event details reflect that time. For what's happening now, see the Events Calendar and Products.
The latest stop on the 2026 Alpha Clash Organized Play circuit brought players from across the Philippines together for one of the biggest events of the early season, Progenitor’s Gambit: Philippines.
With World Championship qualification, cash prizes, bounty rewards, exclusive promos, XP, and national championship prestige on the line, the weekend delivered a strong mix of competition, creativity, and community. From established contenders to breakout strategies, Progenitor’s Gambit: Philippines showcased a diverse and exciting metagame heading into the 2026 Organized Play season.
Meta Breakdown
A diverse pool of Contenders were brought to the table and a great spread of new strategies emerged.
Torque, the Diabolical has reigned supreme as a consistent fan-favorite in the Philippines, and he continued to be one of the most respected and represented decks in the room. Gearwin, Steampunk Engineer and Kilimanjaro, Power Erupting arrived on the scene and had their highest finishes to-date in competition.
The event also highlighted the growing impact of newer Contenders entering the format, with several players finding success through recently released strategies and support packages with The Absence, Valen Solariel, Iron Piston, and more.
Top 8 Breakdown
After seven rounds of Swiss gameplay, the field was narrowed to the the Top 8 players, where we saw four different Contenders represented amongst the top finishers.
Top 8 Seeds after Swiss
- Edison Curameng — The Absence, Voice of the Void
- Karlo Bonillo — The Absence, Voice of the Void
- Melvin Sta. Maria — Torque, the Diabolocal
- Levi Sumacbay — Gearwin, Steampunk Engineer
- Mido Enomoto — The Absence, Voice of the Void
- Chevie Sumacbay — Gearwin, Steampunk Engineer
- Julian Caraos — Kilimanjaro, Power Erupting
- Johnsilou Castillano — Torque, the Diabolocal
The elimination rounds quickly became a showcase for The Absence, with three pilots reaching the Top 8 and two advancing all the way to the finals. Karlo Bonillo defeated multiple-time event champion Melvin Sta. Maria in the semifinals before overcoming Edison Curameng in the championship match to secure the title in an all-Absence final.
Torque, the Diabolical continued its string of strong performances with two Top 8 appearances, while Gearwin, Steampunk Engineer also placed two competitors into the playoff bracket and made her first-ever Top 8. Kilimanjaro, Power Erupting rounded out the top field and also made his first-ever Top 8.See the full event results.
Top 8 Final Bracket
Final Standings
- Karlo Bonillo — The Absence, Voice of the Void (Deck List)
- Edison Curameng — The Absence, Voice of the Void (Deck List)
- Melvin Sta. Maria — Torque, the Diabolical (Deck List)
- Mido Enomoto — The Absence, Voice of the Void (Deck List)
- Levi Sumacbay — Gearwin, Steampunk Engineer (Deck List)
- Chevie Sumacbay — Gearwin, Steampunk Engineer (Deck List)
- Julian Caraos — Kilimanjaro, Power Erupting (Deck List)
- Johnsilou Castillano — Torque, the Diabolocal (Deck List)
Bounty Winners
In addition to the main event standings, players also competed for special rewards tied to designated Contenders throughout the weekend. The highest finishing player piloting each of these Contenders took home the Bounty:
- Torque, the Diabolical — Melvin Sta. Maria (Deck List)
- Entropy, the Progenitor of Chaos — Mark Piolo Lansiola (Deck List)
- Valen Solariel, Healer of Eldralore — Darwin Mariano (Deck List)
- Shadowblade, Agent of the Shadow — JM Mejia (Deck List)
- Iron Piston, Steampunk Defender — Ely Dave Ramadilla (Deck List)
Thank You
A huge thank you to the players, judges, organizers, content creators, stores, and community members who helped make Progenitor’s Gambit: Philippines a success.
The continued growth of Alpha Clash in the Philippines has been incredible to watch, and events like this continue to showcase the passion and strength of the local community.
Congratulations once again to Karlo Bonillo, your 2026 Progenitor’s Gambit: Philippines Champion. This marks the first major tournament victory for The Absence since entering organized play, officially cementing the Contender as a real force in the competitive landscape. The Void has officially arrived!