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And that’s to win a trophy in the toughest MLBB league in the world.
MPL PH Season 17 is going to be interesting for Aurora PH as they will unironically face their toughest challenge yet. The championship squad remains intact, and after beating the “choker” allegations through an M-Series title, they’re out to prove that their current form is no fluke.
The young organization won a world championship before they even won their own domestic league. It changed everyone’s perception of the team and coach Aniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani knows this very well. He has coached world championship teams before and he know how expectations rise when you hold an M-Series trophy.
“Kailangan lang namin i-apply ‘yung natutunan namin nung last season to this season,” said the Aurora PH coach matter-of-factly in an interview with the media. “Naging consistent kami so kailangan lang namin i-remind ourselves bakit natin nakuha ‘yung title. ‘Yun lang talaga ‘yung nagkulang samin noong Season 16 na nasolusyonan namin. Pero magi-improve din ‘yung mga ibang teams so kailangan namin mag-improve din kung gusto namin mag-champion ngayong Season 17.”
When asked how they’re dealing with the pressure of being world champions, Mid Laner Kenneth “Yue” Tadeo said that they don’t really feel it due to them locking in for Season 17.
“Ang mindset namin is back to zero dito sa MPL PH. Tapos na yung M7 so dapat hard reset, back to neutral. Dapat hindi kami maging overconfident or makampante,” Yue said.
Coach MtB wryly adds, “Mas-mahirap talaga ‘yung tournament sa MPL PH kaysa M-Series. Kaya kailangan namin mag-pursige.”
Keeping an Eye on the Newcomers
The talk of the town are the new Indonesian imports coming in for Team Liquid and ONIC Philippines. Aurora PH Gold Laner Jan “Domengkite” Delmundo feels that this is incredibly irregular for a region as strong as the Philippines but he’s not going to underestimate the newcomers.
“Galing naman sila sa mga championship teams so mataas ‘yung caliber nila,” said Domeng. “Hindi naman dadali [‘yung Gold Lane], kasi marunong naman ‘yung mga players na yon. Tingin ko lang na magstru-struggle lang sila sa comms kasi iba na yon. Tapos may struggle din against other Gold Laners kasi competitive regiontayo.”
Roamer Dylan “Light” Catipon echoed Domeng’s thoughts as he himself has experience with being an import.
“Expect ko makikita yung struggles, especially sa comms. Mahirap talaga kasi sila ‘yung una sa group nila mag-overseas dito sa Pilipinas. Pero for sure may answer na sila diyan so makakasabay naman sila.”
Banner images from MPL Philippines on Facebook.
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