Elevate rules Garena Masters X for rousing start to Call of Duty: Mobile season

MANILA, Philippines -- Elevate opened its Call of Duty: Mobile esports season on a high note, emerging on top of the Garena Masters X to secure their first major title of the year.

The championship marks a strong rebound for Elevate after falling short in both Garena Masters Season 9 and the World Championship in 2025, where the team finished runner-up in both events.

This time, Elevate showed a more composed and disciplined approach throughout the tournament, leaning on preparation and consistency to separate itself from the field.

The squad went undefeated in the group stages, not dropping a single map and reaching the grand finals via the upper bracket. But its rival, Al-Ula Club, composed of former Stalwart Esports, pushed Elevate to the limit, resetting the grand finals after an initial 2-4 defeat.

Elevate, however, has grown from  heartbreaks from last year's esports season and managed to stage a comeback, taking the trophy at 4-2.

According to team captain Johnkelly "Yop1" Manalang, the lessons from last year’s close losses played a major role in how the team approached the new season.

"In 2025, we realized that skill alone wasn’t enough to win us championships. I believe our team had what it takes, but in crucial moments, small mistakes and pressure made the difference. That experience really taught us the importance of staying composed, being consistent, and trusting our system. This year, we’re placing stronger focus on our mentality and decision-making so we can stay locked in, no matter how intense or long a series gets," Manalang told Philstar.com in an email interview.

As the team entered the 2026 season, they put emphasis on composure and decision-making, especially in high-pressure situations, focusing on game play structure over experimentation.

"Map preparation and training. We spent extra time studying different scenarios and refining how we execute our strategies in-game," added Justin "Susanoo" Cecilio.

The team’s stable core lineup also continued to pay dividends, allowing Elevate to rely on chemistry and familiarity rather than last-minute adjustments.

"I think it comes down to the bond we’ve built over the years as a team. We’ve grown a lot together, both in and out of the game. As a result, our playstyle has become more mature, and we understand one another better and make decisions more cohesively," said player Juan "kLö" Morales.

With the Garena Masters X trophy secured, Elevate now sets its sights on a bigger goal for the rest of the year.

“We want to win the World Championship again,” said Garena Masters X finals MVP Patrick "Peejay" Sagudo.

Elevate along with the top six teams in the Garena Masters X have qualified for the upcoming Garena Summer Invitation 2026 this April, where 12 teams will vire for early qualification to the Garena finals of the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship.