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It was a tough season for AP.Bren but Coach Giee wouldn’t have it any other way.
MPL PH Season 17 was a difficult one for AP.Bren but despite everything, Coach Karl “Giee” Barrientos is still up to face the challenge of the strongest MLBB league in the world.
Prior to returning to the Philippines, Coach Giee was able to lead multiple foreign teams to a top three or top two finish. However, the MPL PH is much more developed compared to most overseas leagues and the results show why. Despite their seventh place finish, AP.Bren has shown improvement throughout the season. It’s just that the other teams matched and exceeded their pace, which is why they missed the playoffs for the third season in a row.
“Dito sa Pilipinas, bawal ka magpahinga,” said Coach Giee to The GAME as he reflected on the season. “Pag nagpahinga ka dito, nawawala ‘yung consistency mo. Kaya kung pansin mo, ‘yung mga top teams na nagcha-champion biglang lumulubog. ‘Yan ‘yung sakit ng mga teams sa Pilipinas – ‘yung sakit ng mga champion.”
Aurora Gaming’s Season 17 run certainly gives credence to that statement, but Coach Giee’s observation is more about how every team in the MPL PH is ready to go above and beyond the competition. MPL PH teams will pounce on you if you’re caught slacking and that’s just the way it is here.
“Normal lang talaga ito, pero mas masaya ako dito kasi masarap talaga mag-represent ng Pilipinas.”
Home of the Strongest
Going from top two to bottom two is certainly a massive shift for Coach Giee. Yet the Coach doesn’t seem disheartened at all by the season’s results. Rather, he’s even more motivated to try again.
“Sinasabi ko nga na nandito pa lang sa MPL PH parang naglalaban ka na sa international. Ganung kalupit dito! Kaya gustong-gusto ko dito,” said Coach Giee with an excited grin. “Nakapa-sarap maglaro dito, nakapa-sarap mag-compete dito. Lahat mararanasan mo dito – taas, baba, stress! Kung yung opportunity nandito, dito pa rin ako!”
Whether it’s with AP.Bren or with a different team, Coach Giee wants to keep challenging the league where the strongest MLBB players call home. Hopefully this enthusiasm can help him and his team in the following season.
Images from MPL Philippines on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Karl “Giee” Barrientos is the head coach of AP.Bren in the MPL Philippines. Prior to joining the Philippine league, he coached multiple foreign MLBB teams to top-two or top-three finishes in their respective regional competitions.
AP.Bren finished seventh in MPL PH Season 17, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Despite the result, the team showed improvement throughout the split, though competing teams matched or surpassed their development pace.
MPL Philippines is widely regarded as the most developed and competitive MLBB regional league globally. Its depth means that teams cannot afford a dip in consistency — any slip is quickly exploited by other contenders, making sustained performance far more difficult than in most overseas leagues.
Coach Giee told The GAME that competing in the MPL PH is comparable to playing at the international level, citing the league’s exceptional competitive depth. He also noted that inconsistency is the biggest challenge for Philippine MLBB teams, including championship-caliber squads.
Coach Giee indicated his commitment to staying in the MPL Philippines, regardless of which team he coaches. He stated that the league’s level of competition and the opportunity to represent the Philippines are the primary reasons he remains committed to the Philippine MLBB scene.
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