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For a moment there was hope for the beleaguered Phoenixes and trying to live up to that hope was the real challenge.
Coach Patrick “E2MAX” Caidic and the rest of TNC’s mood was heavy during their last day in MPL PH Season 17 as they finished another season dead last. There was a lot of hype behind TNC after their surprising third place finish in Season 16. But the hype didn’t last as the team was never able to find that form this season.
It’s been an incredibly rough season for everyone in TNC, and Coach E2MAX wasn’t afraid to say to The GAME that he and the team were grateful for it to finally be over.
“Sobrang grabeng rollercoaster emotions talaga ‘yung pinagdaanan ng team this season. Oo, sobrang hirap ‘yung feeling na malaglag pero may-relief din kasi sobrang stressful ‘yung naging training, practices, pinag usapan namin. Syempre importante na pag-isipan namin ‘yung susunod na mangyayari pero importante din na ma-enjoy ‘yung buhay namin outside sa trabaho.”
Despite what their 2-12 record shows, TNC were certainly putting in the effort this season. They’ve had the opportunity to secure victory in many of their games but always found themselves falling short. It was frustrating to see, especially as they kept sliding down the standings.
When asked what was the biggest factor for TNC’s downfall this eason, Coach E2MAX could only see one culprit.
“Sa tingin ko ‘yung pressure. Naramdaman ko ‘yung expectations ng lahat – ‘yung management, ‘yung sariling expectations namin. Kasi feeling namin na contender talaga kami. Nung natatalo kami, nagiging tough loss kasi yung expectation is kayang-kaya namin pero talo pa rin. Siguro ‘yun ‘yung naging mabigat, kasi papasok ng season 17, talagang nangarap kami maka-international. ‘Yun talaga yung goal. Pag ‘yun yung nae-expect mo tapos nakikita mo na unting-unti hindi nangyayari, sobrang bigat talaga.”
The Need For Mental Fortitude
Upon reflection, Coach E2MAX admits that he and the team didn’t handle the mounting expectations and pressure very well. The team was riding high from their success from last season. Third place is the highest TNC has ever reached in the MPL PH and one they’ve already achieved before, back in Season 9 in 2022. Every other time, they’ve been sitting at the bottom of the barrel.
“Parang na-expect namin yung nagawa namin last season, maidadala namin this season. Medyo na overconfident kami,” said Coach E2MAX.
Even then, the cracks were already showing before Season 17 started, during the SIBOL National Team qualifiers .
“Nakapasok kami and malakas din kami doon. Pero nung natalo kami ng Team Falcons, parang doon bumagsak ‘yung morale ng team. Feeling namin na lahat ng teams kaya namin pero doon kami na-reality check. Sobrang dami pa rin ‘yung kailangan ayusin. ‘Yung ibang teams nagi-improve din.”
In the end, the biggest lesson Coach E2MAX learned this season is the power and importance of mental fortitude. TNC’s run this season clearly shows that it doesn’t matter how good your players are if they crumble under pressure.
“Kahit anong training mo, kahit alam mo na ano dapat gawin, pagnandun ka sa sitwasyon at magulo yung isip mo at hindi mo ma-handle ng maayos, lahat ng natuto mo hindi mo rin maa-apply,” said Coach E2MAX. “Syempre, sa ganitong competition na sobrang high level yung laban, malaking bagay talaga yung maka-decision ka ng tama sa maliliit na secundo.
“Kung sino mas mabilis mag-decision, mas malakas ‘yung loob, sila yung aangat. So malaking bagay talaga yung mental. Hindi namin na-handle ng maayos, kaya nahirapan kami.”
For now, the Coach will give his own mental health a break as he sees what opportunities await him. Season 17 will be tough to recover from, for both Coach E2MAX and TNC, but hopefully they’ll be able to find their footing next season.
Images from MPL Philippines on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patrick “E2MAX” Caidic is the head coach of TNC Predator in MPL Philippines. He has been with the organization through multiple seasons and is one of the more prominent coaching figures in the Philippine Mobile Legends competitive scene.
TNC finished MPL PH Season 17 with a 2-12 record, placing last in the standings. The result was a significant drop from their Season 16 performance, where they finished third — the highest placement in TNC’s MPL PH history at that point.
Coach E2MAX identified pressure and unmet expectations as the root cause of TNC’s poor season. The team entered Season 17 confident after their third-place finish in Season 16 but struggled to maintain performance levels as losses mounted and their international goals slipped away.
Mental fortitude in esports refers to a player’s or team’s ability to make clear, fast decisions under competitive pressure without their composure breaking down. Coach E2MAX noted that in high-level competition, decision-making speed and mental stability often determine outcomes more than raw mechanical skill.
TNC has historically struggled at the bottom of MPL PH standings across most seasons, with their third-place finish in Season 16 being their highest placement. They had previously reached third place in Season 9 in 2022. Season 17’s 2-12 record returned them to the lower tier of the league.
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