AP Bren

{{short description|Professional Esports organization based in the Philippines}}

{{Infobox sports team

| name = Aces Pro Bren Esports

| short_name = AP.Bren

| logo = AP Bren esports logo.png

| logo_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| city = Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

| location = Southeast Asia

| parent_group =

| founded = {{start date and age|2017|08|16|df=y}}

| folded =

| owner = Mr.Ap

| colors = {{color box|#FFC500}} Yellow
{{color box|#000000}} Black

| manager = Mr.Hansen

| partners = Synergy88{{Cite web|url=https://synergy88digital.com/|title=Synergy88 a Bren Esports partner|work=Synergy88|access-date=22 June 2019|archive-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108221025/http://synergy88digital.com/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.urbantechnoobs.com/2018/08/bren-esports-celebrates-1st-year.html|title=Bren Esports established new partnership|work=Urbantechnoobs}}
Game.ly
ASUS Philippines
NOW Corporation
XSplit
PopTV
Globe Telecom
Team Falcons

| sport_label = Divisions

| sport = Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Hearthstone
Clash Royale
Overwatch
Arena of Valor
League of Legends
Counter Strike: Global Offensive
PUBG
Tekken 7
Rules of Survival
Valorant

| website = {{URL|https://brenesports.com}}

| footnotes =

| fanclub = Hive

| championships = MSC 2018
M2 World Championship
M5 World Championship

| titles = MPL-PH S6
MPL-PH S12

}}

Aces Pro Bren Esports (formerly Bren Esports), commonly known as AP Bren, is a Southeast Asian professional esports organization based in the Philippines. It has competitive teams in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, CS:GO, PUBG, League of Legends, Overwatch, Hearthstone, Clash Royale, Arena of Valor, Rules of Survival, Valorant, and Tekken 7.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ungeek.ph/2018/08/bren-esports-celebrates-1st-anniversary-with-bang/|title=Bren Esports 1st anniversary|date=17 August 2018|accessdate=21 June 2019}} In the Philippine esports league The Nationals, the team competes as Bren EPro. The organization was founded on 16 August 2017 by Bernard "Bren" Chong who is part of the Chong clan that owns World Balance.{{Cite web |last=Dannug |first=Jonash |date=2021-01-30 |title=How Bernard Chong's passion led to BREN Esports |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/how-bernard-chongs-passion-led-to-bren-esports/200641 |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}}

In July 2023, the esports team was bought by Aces Pro Corp. replacing the longtime chief executive officer of Bren, Bernard Chong with Jean Alphonse “AJ” Ponce.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-03 |title=AP Esports, Bren Esports form AP Bren for MPL PH {{!}} ONE Esports |url=https://www.oneesports.gg/mobile-legends/ap-bren-form-alliance-for-mpl-ph/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=www.oneesports.gg |language=en-US}} The newly-acquired team adopts its current name.{{cite news |last1=Coloma |first1=Angela |title=Bren Esports welcomes new ownership, renames to AP Bren as it partners with AP Esports |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/03/23/bren-esports-is-now-ap-bren-as-it-welcomes-new-ownership |access-date=5 July 2023 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=3 July 2023}}

''Arena of Valor''

On 1 October 2018, Bren Esports participated at the Arena of Valor tournament along with four team from Singapore, Malaysia and fellow Filipino team Maxbox Gaming in Philippines for the semi and grand finals of Arena of Valor's Cup Season 3.{{Cite web |title=Team tamago wins in the Arena of Valor's Valor Cup Season 3 |url=http://egg.network/news/team-tamago-wins-arena-valors-valor-cup-season-3/ |accessdate=23 June 2019 |work=Egg.network |archive-date=24 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624044543/http://egg.network/news/team-tamago-wins-arena-valors-valor-cup-season-3/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |date=1 April 2019 |title=Philippine Pro Gaming League AOV Finals |url=https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/newsroom/corporate/team-liyab-secures-spot-ppgl-aov.html/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918144742/https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/newsroom/corporate/team-liyab-secures-spot-ppgl-aov.html |archive-date=18 September 2020 |accessdate=23 June 2019 |work=Globe.com.ph}}

''Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB)''

= History =

Bren Esports's Mobile Legends team competes in the local tournaments for the MPL.

On 22 July 2018, Bren Esports acquired the full Aether Main roster which consisted of YellyHaze, Pein, Ribo, Yuji, Coco and 666. The 6-man roster won the team's first championship title on 29 July 2018 at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup (MSC) 2018 held at the Jakarta International Expo in Indonesia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mineski.net/news/ph-champions-bren-esports-digital-devils-pacific-macta/|title=PH Sports Team took home championship prizes|date=30 July 2018 |work=Mineski |accessdate=22 June 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://technology.inquirer.net/78153/ph-esports-teams-bag-77714-prize-mobile-legends-southeast-asia-cup/|title=PH Sports Mobile Legends Team bagged $77,714 total prize |work=technology.inquirer.net |accessdate=22 June 2019}}

From 12 to 13 January 2019, eight Filipino participant teams gathered at the Ayala Malls Circuit Makati for Season 3 of MPL (2019).{{Cite web|url=https://www.mineski.net/news/esports-mobile-legends-bang-bang-professional-league-philippines-season-3-team-tracker/|title=Teams From The Past Season Will Play for the MPL-PH Season 2|date=22 March 2019 |work=Mineski |accessdate=22 June 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://tv5.espn.com/story/_/id/26133273/mpl-philippines-season-3-kicks-march-23/|title=MPL Philippines Season 3 kicks off March 23|date=4 March 2019 |work=Tv5.espn.com |accessdate=22 June 2019}}

On 17 January 2019, 666 left the roster and was later replaced by Ejhay who joined the roster on 27 February 2019. On 18 July 2019, Pein left the team and was later replaced by Teng. On 29 October, Teng, Yuji and YellyHaze's departure was announced, leaving Ribo and Coco as the two remaining members from the previous Aether Main roster.

= Roster Changes Prior to the M2 World Championship =

On 10 January 2020, KarlTzy, Pheww and Lastii joined the player roster with the addition of Duckey who signed up to as the head coach. FlapTzy later joined the team on 2 July 2020. At that time, Coco changed his role from becoming part of the official playing roster to analyst.

In October 2020, they won the MPL Season 6 championship in a best of 7 series, winning against Smart Omega Esports 4 games to 2. This was their second title since Aether Main and their first as the Bren franchise.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-24 |title=Bren is king of MPL Season 6 |url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/26/bren-is-king-of-mpl-season-6/ |access-date=2020-11-25 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en-US}}

On 23 January 2021, Bren Esports won the championship for the M2 World Championships held in Singapore, winning against Burmese Ghouls 4 games to 3. The team had to climb up from the lower bracket by defeating two Indonesian powerhouse teams, RRQ Hoshi and Alter Ego to arrange a rematch against Burmese Ghouls.{{Cite web |date=2020-10-26 |title=Bren Esports is Mobile Legends M2 Champions |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/bren-esports-earns-m2-world-championship/200205}} The Bren Esports team won $140,000 from the $300,000 prize pool money, with another $3,000 awarded to the MVP of the match, Carry Karl "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno.{{Cite web |last=Joy |first=Mary |title=Philippines Bren Esports wins M2 Championships; team takes home USD $140,000 - MEGPlay |url=https://megplay.com/bren-esports-m2-champions/ |access-date=2021-01-28 |language=en-US}}

During the Offseason on 6 December 2021, M2 World Champions MVP Karl Gabriel "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno announces his departure from Bren Esports. He has spent 4 seasons with Bren, joining in Season 5, winning a Esports Gold Medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, the MPL Philippines Season 6 Champion, and M2 World Championship Finals MVP.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-06 |title=KarlTzy parts ways with Bren Esports |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/karltzy-parts-ways-bren-esports/ |access-date=2021-12-06 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}} On 11 December 2021, Ejhay left the team and later became the coach for the Sunsparks MLBB team.

= Bren Victress =

In June 2019, all the female members of its team got third place in the Female Esports League of Mobile Legends (FSL) which was held at Singapore.{{Cite news|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/09/19/all-female-ph-mobile-legends-team-places-third-in-singapore-tilt/|title=Bren Female Mobile Legends team placed third in Singapore tilt|date=9 June 2019 |work=Abs-cbn.com |accessdate=22 June 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/698284/all-pinay-gaming-team-finshes-3rd-place-in-a-competition-in-singapore/story/|title=Pinay gaming team Bren Esports finishes 3rd place in a competition in Singapore|work=GMANetwork.com|date=19 June 2019|accessdate=26 June 2019}} Also in June 2019, Bren Esports participated in MSC 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.{{Cite web|url=http://msc.mobilelegends.com/|title=MSC 2019|work=Mobilelegends.com|date=19 June 2019|accessdate=23 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607100009/http://msc.mobilelegends.com/|archive-date=7 June 2019|url-status=dead}} On the first day of competition, Bren Esports beat the Team Resolution of Myanmar.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oneesports.gg/mobile-legends/msc-2019-group-and-play-in-stage-recap-day-1-playoff-matchups/|title=MSC 2019 DAY 1|work=Oneesports.gg|date=21 June 2019|accessdate=23 June 2019}} In the second day of competition, team Overclockers of Vietnam defeated Bren Esports causing them to be eliminated.

= Partnership with Team Falcons =

In the build up for the MPL Philippines Season 13 playoffs, MPL Philippines and the AP Bren organization announced the partnership between AP Bren and Team Falcons prior to the playoffs and the subsequent MSC 2024 in Riyadh. According to reports, the Saudi Arabian-based organization approached AP Bren first in order to align both organization's goals and made sure that the partnership was mutually beneficial for both parties.{{Cite web |last=Lojo |first=Michelle |title=AP Bren partners with Saudi Arabia's Team Falcons |url=https://www.philstar.com/campus/sports/2024/05/20/2356560/ap-bren-partners-saudi-arabias-team-falcons |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Philstar.com}}

The Partnership ended after the conclusion of MLBB M6 World Championship. Team Falcons would enter MPL Philippines as a separate entry in time for MPL-PH Season 15.{{cite news |last1=Micaller |first1=Bea |title=Twisted Minds, Team Falcons officially enter MPL Philippines |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/othersports/933989/twisted-minds-team-falcons-officially-enter-mpl-philippines/story/ |access-date=January 24, 2025 |work=GMA News |date=January 24, 2025}} The team would acquire the roster and coaching staff of MDL Philippines Season 4 champions Lazy Esports for their new roster in MPL PH S15.{{Cite web |title=AP.Bren grab Lazy Esports roster for MPL Philippines Season 15 {{!}} GosuGamers |url=https://www.gosugamers.net/mobile-legends/news/74305-ap-bren-grab-lazy-esports-roster-for-mpl-philippines-season-15 |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.gosugamers.net |language=en-GB}}

= Tournament results =

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; font-size: 90%;"

!Year

!Season

!{{Abbreviation|MR|Match Record}}

!{{Abbreviation|GR|Game Record}}

!{{Abbreviation|Diff|Difference}}

!Finish

! Mid Season Cup

!MPLI Invitational

!World Championship

2018

|Season 2

|7–2

|15–5

| +10

|{{won|place=2nd|1st Runner Up; 1-3
Cignal Ultra}}

|{{won|place=1st|Champions; 3-0
Digital Devils Pro Gaming}}{{ref|AetherMain|1}}

| colspan="2" {{notnom|Not held}}

rowspan="2" |2019

|Season 3

|8–1

|17–7

| +10

|{{won|place=2nd|1st Runner Up; 2-3
Arkangel}}

|7th-8th Place

| colspan="2" {{notnom|Not held}}

Season 4

|4–5

|9–12

| -3

|{{won|place=5th|5th-6th place; 0-2
Execration}}

| colspan="2" {{notnom|Not held}}

|{{eliminated|Did not qualify}}

rowspan="2" |2020

|Season 5

|8–1

|16–4

| +12

|{{won|place=3rd|2nd Runner Up; 1-2
ONIC Philippines}}

| rowspan="2" {{eliminated|Did not qualify}}

| colspan="2" {{notnom|Not held}}

Season 6

|12–1

|24–4

| +20

|{{won|place=1st|Champions; 4-2
Smart Omega}}

|{{won|place=2nd|1st Runner Up; 0-3
Alter Ego}}

|{{won|place=1st|Champions; 4-3
Burmese Ghouls}}

rowspan="2" |2021

|Season 7

|8–5

|19–14

| +5

|{{won|place=4th|3rd Runner Up; 2-3
Execration}}

| rowspan="6" {{eliminated|Did not qualify}}

| colspan="2" {{notnom|Not held}}

Season 8

|5–9

|12–21

| -9

|{{won|place=7th|7th-8th; Group Stage}}

| colspan="2" {{eliminated|Did not qualify}}

rowspan="2" |2022

|Season 9

|5–9

|11–20

| -9

|{{won|place=7th|7th-8th; Group Stage}}

| colspan="2" {{notnom|Not held}}

Season 10

|9–5

|20–16

| +4

|{{won|place=3rd|3rd Runner Up; 2-3
RSG Philippines}}

|{{won|place=7th|5th-8th; 1-2
ONIC Esports}}

|{{eliminated|Did not qualify}}

rowspan="2" |2023

|Season 11

|11–3

|23–9

| +14

|{{won|place=3rd|3rd Runner Up; 1-3
ECHO Philippines}}

| colspan="2" {{notnom|Not held}}

Season 12

|7–7

|18–5

| +3

|{{won|place=1st|Champions; 4-1
Blacklist International}}

|{{won|place=3rd|2nd Runner Up; 1-2
RSG Philippines}}

|{{won|place=1st|Champions; 4-3
ONIC Esports}}

rowspan="2" |2024

|Season 13

|11–3

|24–8

| +16

|{{won|place=2nd|1st Runner Up; 0-4
Liquid ECHO}}

| rowspan="2" {{won|place=2nd|1st Runner Up; 3-4
Selangor Red Giants}}

| rowspan="2" {{notnom|Not held}}

| rowspan="2" {{eliminated|Did not Qualify}}

Season 14

|10–4

|22–12

| +10

| {{won|place=3rd|2nd Runner Up; 2-4
Aurora Gaming}}

= Other tournament awards =

Snapdragon Pro Series Season 3 SEA - Challenge Finals (2023) - 3rd Place
SIBOL 2023 National Team Selection (2023) - 1st Place
IESF World Esports Championship (2023) - 1st Place
2023 Southeast Asian Games (2023) - Gold Medal
Games of the Future 2024 - 1st Place

= Current roster =

{{Esports roster header|team= AP Bren|subteam=|game=Mobile Legends: Bang Bang|nav=yes|season=|role=yes|bg1=#FFC502|bg2=#000000|color2=#FFFFFF|color1=#FFFFFF}}

{{Esports player|handle=Der|first=Landher Mendoza|last=San Gabriel|nat=PH|role=Exp Lane}}

{{Esports player|handle=Jamespangks|first=Jonathan James|last=Mendoza|nat=PH|role=Jungler}}

{{Esports player|handle=Chovyy|first=Jerry Ian|last=Nicol|nat=PH|role=Mid Lane}}

{{Esports player|handle=Shizou|first=Jan Carl|last=Valdez|nat=PH|role=Gold Lane}}

{{Esports player|handle=Kekedoot|first=Jefferdson|last=Mogol|nat=PH|role=Roamer}}

{{Esports player|handle=Sindel|first=Aaren Maximos|last=Palomo|nat=PH|role=Gold Lane|sub=yes}}

{{Esports roster footer|head_coach={{flagicon|Philippines}} Jeffrey "Jeff" Manforte|asst_coach={{flagicon|Philippines}} Jomie "P4kbet" Abalos
{{flagdeco|Philippines}} Jerome "Bom" Domingo|roster_url=https://www.spin.ph/esports/bren-acquires-coach-trebor-while-echo-enters-s13-without-an-analyst-a4858-20240221?ref=feed_1_author|transaction_date=February 20, 2024|access_date=February 20, 2024}}

''Valorant''

= History =

In September 2021, Bren Esports originally qualified for the 2021 Valorant Champions Tour: Stage 3 Masters in Berlin as the champions of the Southeast Asia Challengers Playoffs, but were unable to secure travel visas for the LAN event due to the national restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Dioquino |first1=Delfin |title=Bren Esports to miss Valorant Masters in Berlin because of visa issues |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/bren-esports-miss-valorant-masters-berlin-visa-issues/ |access-date=23 April 2024 |work=Rappler |date=3 September 2021}} The team was later acquired by another esports organization, Team Secret.{{cite news |last1=Zalamea |first1=Nigel |title=Team Secret signs Bren Esports former Valorant roster |url=https://www.oneesports.gg/valorant/team-secret-signs-bren-esports-roster/ |access-date=23 April 2024 |work=One Esports |date=9 September 2021}}