Under the bright lights of the GameZone Tour stage, a father’s grief turned to grace as Pampanga’s best tongits player, Ahrold Tubig, won the GameZone Tour Tongits Plus Champions Cup (TPCC) Season 4 held on March 8 in Pasay City.
Everyone who joined the tournament had one goal: to win the staggering P5,000,000 grand prize. For Tubig, that dream became a reality. His victory was not only a personal triumph but also an emotional milestone for his family.
Tubig carried more than hopes of becoming the Tongits Plus Championship Cup grand champion the moment he stepped atop the GameZone Tour stage, bearing the memories of his sons, Yuan Poll and Yuan Pitt.
Before the tournament began, Tubig, along with his family, visited the separate graves of their boys who died six years ago. Poll and Pitt were fine, though prematurely born in December 2019. Then came the infection Poll developed, so Pitt had to be taken home to avoid getting ill as well.
“Una po, okay sila dalawa sa NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit). Pero nagka-infection po yung isa, si Poll. So si Pitt po, dahil naging okay naman po yung lagay niya, kahit sobrang liit at payat niya noon, nakalabas po siya ng ospital. Kasi baka mahawa po siya kay Poll,” Tubig shared in an exclusive interview with GameZone.
On February 20, 2020, Poll was finally cleared to go home. The twins spent five days together before Poll was rushed back to the hospital again. On February 28, he passed away. Nothing compares to the pain of having to bury your own child, but for Ahrold, life goes on. After a year, the family was able to celebrate Pitt’s first birthday. Everything was perfect, but on Poll’s death anniversary, Pitt got sick.
Pitt was rushed to the hospital on March 2, 2021. The doctors initially diagnosed it as dengue and had Pitt transferred to another hospital, where it was later confirmed as sepsis, a blood infection. On March 4, Pitt was also taken away from them.
“March 2 po dinala namin sa ospital si Pitt, sabi ng ospital dengue, hanggang ma-coma siya at nilipat ng ospital kung saan namatay si Poll. Pagdating doon, sepsis po pala ang nakita sa kanya, na sakit sa dugo. March 4, nawala na po si Pitt,” said Tubig.
The heartbreak of Poll’s and Pitt’s passing was why the twins were laid to rest separately. For years, Tubig kept the pain and a quiet wish in his heart—to bring the boys’ resting place side by side.
Journey fueled by heart
Tubig’s journey in the Tongits Plus Champions Cup was nothing short of a comeback story fueled by heart. He had to fight through the revival round, where he was dominated by Nanay Pilar throughout the contest. Eventually, he clawed his way back to the leaderboards to secure a seat in the semifinals. He pushed through the season composed, patient, and strategic.
After his success in the semis, Tubig faced Nanay Pilar, who was seated at the top, and Gina Bengco at second in the finals. Pilar dominated the opening round, but Tubig, a seasoned tongits player, stayed calm and calculated every meld and draw. Then came the second round.
Tubig played sharply, fearlessly, and perfectly, a kind of performance that eliminates any doubt. After getting hammered by Pilar in the revival round and the 1st round of the finals, Tubig turned the tables by flushing out Pilar’s special card (tongits) that got him back in the game. Instinct and strategy collided, and at the end of the final round, Ahrold Tubig of Masantol, Pampanga, bagged the cash prize as the Tongits Plus Champions Cup season 4 champion.
Tubig believed that the championship was destined, and Poll and Pitt guided his journey. “Dalawang beses po kami bumalik sa puntod nila, February 28 at March 4 po. Kinausap ko po sila noon kaya alam ko po na binantayan po nila ako noong laban ko,” he said. Ahrold also shared how highly motivated he is during the tournament because of his family, “My pamilya ang alas ko, that’s how I win.” He added.
More than winning
Tubig highlighted the importance of playing responsibly, emphasizing that aspiring GameZone Tour players should set a limit when playing. “Sa mga aspiring players, hinay hinay lang sa paglalaro. Dapat may limit lang sa paglalaro. Pag wala na, tama na,” Tubig said.
He also urged players to dream big if they want to join the GameZone Tour tournament. “Sa mga gustong sumali sa mga GameZone tournament, tiyaga lang mangarap ka. Dahil kay GameZone Tour, maari niya tuparin ang pangarap mo.”
Tubig’s victory is more than just winning the Tongits Plus Championship Cup championship. It is a story of healing and giving. Today, the Tubig family is finally able to fulfill their promise to bring Poll and Pitt together in peace. They also plan to donate to their local chapel to help fund its renovation after it was severely damaged by the recent flood.
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About DigiPlus
DigiPlus Interactive Corp. pioneered digital entertainment in the Philippines. It introduced the leading platforms BingoPlus and ArenaPlus, widely known for their engaging interactive gaming and sports entertainment experiences. DigiPlus also operates GameZone, with more to come. For more information visit www.digiplus.com.ph.
