After a thrilling first day, Nexus Academia returned on June 11 with an even more explosive roster of games and performances. The convention center buzzed with energy as college students piled into SMX Hall 1 for headlining Mobile Legends: Bang Bang showmatches, community panels, and back-to-back music acts. Organized by Tier One Entertainment, Day 2 truly felt like a giant campus fair, packed with esports, art, and career activities all under one roof.
Performances
A star-studded lineup of OPM bands and artists rocked the stage all afternoon and evening. Nexus Academia’s second day came alive with an electric lineup of performances. From indie anthems to headbanging metal and groove-worthy pop, there was something for all kinds of musical tastes. Lampara kicked things off with a synth-driven indie rock set. Then, Singer-songwriter Imman followed with a mellow stream of songs. Indie band Mejja brought a soulful mix of jazz-inspired pop, surprising many with their uplifting sound. A-18 kept the energy high with their catchy rock tunes. Jetnekko slowed it down with soul, then ‘As Far As We Know‘ fired it back up with their band performance.
Right after, Nexus Academia held a dance performance that added flair to the stage. Rock band Paham followed it up and delivered an emotional rock set, gritty yet melodic. The band Avi followed it up with upbeat pop-rock. Metalheads got their fill when Anankastic tore through a heavy-hitting set. Afterwards, the all-women band New Lore refreshed the vibe with their upbeat electropop. Finally ending the stage performances, fan-favorite Sud serenaded the audience with smooth soul-infused pop. DJ Chavo wrapped up the night with a set that kept the crowd bouncing well into the afterparty.
Showmatches
Friendly esports showmatches were a fan favorite on Day 2. Crowds cheered as Team Jollibee – featuring mascots Jollibee, Hetty, Twirlie, Popo, and Yum – took on a squad of ex-pro players and popular streamers (including Chinito & The Walkers and creators Eyon & Steve). The clash was equal parts competitive and entertaining. Later, the BLACKLIST MLBB Women’s Team squared off against the National University’s Bulldogs Esports Team. The match drawed cheers from fans watching the pros and the collegiate team battle it out. Both showmatches were played in a light-hearted spirit that kept the audience engaged throughout the afternoon.
Booth Highlights
The expo floor at Nexus Academia was packed with sponsor and partner booths that kept attendees busy between events. Gaming and tech companies set up interactive exhibits and giveaways. For example, Pixel by Eplayment ran a booth where students could try the latest peripherals and enter a raffle for exclusive merch. Meanwhile 51Talk staffed a colorful corner loaded with free stickers, notepads, journals and bookmarks promoting language-learning. Even Jollibee’s booth was active – promoting GameJoy meal combos and offering fun games and photo ops with its mascots. Attendees experienced even more, as we haven’t even covered many of Nexus Academia’s partner booths. Everywhere you looked, students were queuing for activities and demos. Nexus Academia had become a “career playground,” with attendees lining up to chat with mentors, spin prize wheels, and collect freebies. These partner-branded booths gave a festival feel to the event, blending playful giveaways with real career and hobbies.
Throughout the day, social media buzz reflected the crowd’s excitement. Attendees shared videos of the showmatches and live performances with the hashtag #NexusAcademia2025, praising the energetic concerts and the chance to interact with sponsors. By the end of Day 2, #NexusAcademia2025 was trending online celebrating their favorite highlights. Nexus Academia was “where campus life, gaming, and creative fun collide” – an apt summary for a day that delivered nonstop entertainment and inspiration to every corner of the SMX hall.
For more information on Nexus Academia, visit their official website. To keep up on news and updates, visit Tier One Entertainment’s official website or follow them on their social media: Facebook, X(Twitter), Instagram, Tiktok.
