Before representing the Philippines on the world stage, Filipino Tekken 8 star Alexandre “AK” Laverez is giving back to the local fighting game community.
The country’s sole representative in the Tekken 8 competition at the Esports World Cup 2026, AK is set to bring competitive fighting game esports to the Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX) through PlayBook Events.
AK Hosts Underground Arena: Major at PGDX 2026
PlayBook Events, the tournament organiser founded by AK, will host Underground Arena: Major on July 26, 2026, at PGDX in Pasay City.
The event is officially recognised as a Tekken World Tour 2026 Dojo Event, giving Filipino players the chance to compete for valuable Tekken World Tour points while facing some of the country’s strongest Tekken competitors.
Registration is currently open through Start.gg, with players from across the Philippines invited to take part in one of the country’s biggest competitive Tekken events.
However, the action will begin before tournament day. Fans and players can meet up for casual Tekken matches and connect with fellow fighting game enthusiasts on July 24 and 25, turning Underground Arena: Major into a three-day celebration of the Philippine fighting game community.
For AK, the event is about much more than finding a tournament champion.
“The Philippine fighting game community has always been passionate and talented. Through PlayBook Events, we want to create more opportunities for players to compete, improve, and be part of a stronger community. Every tournament is another step toward growing Philippine fighting games.”
Tekken 8 Champion Earns International Opportunity
Underground Arena: Major will also feature an exciting prize beyond the tournament itself.
The Tekken 8 champion will earn the opportunity to compete alongside AK at one of three major international fighting game events: EVO Singapore, EVO Japan, or Thaiger Uppercut in Thailand.
The winner will have the opportunity to choose which event they want to attend, potentially giving another Filipino competitor a major step towards the international fighting game scene.
The prize adds even more significance to the PGDX tournament as AK prepares for his own international campaign.
AK Set to Represent the Philippines at EWC 2026
Widely regarded as one of the Philippines’ most accomplished Tekken players, AK has represented the country at numerous international competitions throughout his career.
His qualification for the Tekken 8 tournament at the Esports World Cup 2026 marks another major milestone for the Filipino esports veteran and the local fighting game community.
Yet before travelling to Paris, France, AK is choosing to focus on the scene that helped shape his career.
“Everything starts with the local community. Without local tournaments and people who organize them, there’s no next generation of players. I want PlayBook Events to help create more opportunities for Filipino competitors.”
Through PlayBook Events, AK hopes to build a more sustainable grassroots fighting game ecosystem in the Philippines by delivering professionally organised tournaments that support both competition and community.
PlayBook Events Builds a Stronger Philippine FGC
While Underground Arena: Major is designed for serious competition, PlayBook Events is also focused on creating a welcoming space for players of all skill levels.
The three-day PGDX activities will give fans the opportunity to play casual matches, meet fellow fighting game enthusiasts, and celebrate the local community.
As competitive gaming continues to grow in the Philippines, grassroots events such as Underground Arena: Major could play an important role in developing the next generation of fighting game talent.
AK’s upcoming Esports World Cup campaign offers a glimpse of what Filipino players can achieve internationally. Through PlayBook Events, the Tekken star is now helping ensure more local competitors have a path to follow.
Underground Arena is supported by PC Express and AMD Ryzen and Radeon, whose partnership with PlayBook Events aims to create more opportunities for Filipino fighting game players to compete and grow.
Underground Arena: Major Event Details
Event: Underground Arena: Major
Game: Tekken 8
Classification: Tekken World Tour 2026 Dojo Event
Date: July 26, 2026
Venue: Philippine GameDev Expo, SMX Convention Center, Pasay City
Registration: Via Start.gg
Admission: Participants and spectators must have a valid PGDX admission ticket to enter the venue.
For more updates on PlayBook Events and its upcoming tournaments, fans can follow the organiser’s official social media channels:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbookeventsph
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlayBookEvents
