ML:BB Women's Invitational at EWC 25 Champions: Team Vitality are the Queens of ML:BB

Rise of women in esports

This year’s edition of MWI is the largest in the tournament’s history, marking another major step for women’s esports on the global stage. Expanding from twelve to sixteen teams, the competition has grown not just in size but also in reach, with qualifiers held across fifty-seven regions worldwide.

The final lineup features sixteen of the strongest teams in the world, representing thirteen different regions, each having earned their place through one of the most competitive qualification processes the tournament has ever seen.

Sisters Michelle “Chell” Siswanto and Cindy “Cinny” Siswanto returned to the stage with a fire in their hearts. The Vitality players, featured in the EWC documentary Level Up, came into the tournament looking to reclaim their dominance after narrowly missing out on a Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women's Invitational title last year.

"I just want to prove that no one can do it better than us," Chell said following their incredible performance at EWC 25. "I think that it was meant to be ours all along."

Other anticipated players heading into this year’s event included Sheen “Shinoa” Perez, last year’s MVP and champion with Omega Empress, who are now competing under the Natus Vincere banner. With a title and standout performance behind her, expectations were high. However, her campaign ended earlier than hoped, with Natus Vincere bowing out in the quarterfinals after a hard-fought series against Gaimin Gladiators.

Rivalries from Saudi Arabia

The MWI at EWC 25 included two local favorites: Twisted Minds Orchid and Falcons Vega. The Saudi Arabian squads came into the tournament eager to defend their home turf but faced fierce international competition from the start. Among their opponents was the star-studded Vitality roster, including the Siswanto sisters.

After both Saudi-based teams fell to Vitality in the upper bracket, they were forced into a do-or-die match against each other for a spot in the playoffs. Twisted Minds came out on top with a clean 2-0 victory, keeping local hopes alive. That hope ended shortly after, though, as they fell to the Philippines' second seed, Team Liquid, in the quarterfinals.

Cementing an Esports World Cup legacy

The two local teams were just two of several squads that couldn’t keep up with powerhouse Vitality, as the French organization swept through the tournament without dropping a single game. Even Gaimin Gladiators, their opponent in the finals, fell short, losing 4-0.

Team Vitality, whose squad members previously competed under the Bigetron Era banner before 2024, has now earned three ML:BB Women's Invitational titles. The victory also qualifies Team Vitality for the Club Championship title and places them at the top of the leaderboard as we begin to wrap up the second week of the 2025 Esports World Cup.

You can relive every teamfight, every ban, and every win by watching the complete ML:BB Women's Invitational at EWC 25 tournament on YouTube.

With hundreds of matches set to take place over the next few days, new legends will rise as champions are crowned and rivals are toppled. Watch the Esports World Cup 2025 live or check out the ticket options to watch in-person this week!