Six years later, the GOAT of MLBB is back on the stage where his legend began.
It’s been a long time coming, but Team Sibol’s KarlTzy is once again representing the Philippines for MLBB Men’s at the 2025 SEA Games. He and the rest of his MPL PH S16 champions lineup will be defending our claim to the gold later this weekend at Bangkok, Thailand.
Considered by many as one of the best MLBB players currently playing, Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno played for the national team very early on in his career. He was part of the gold medal winning team in the 2019 SEA Games, the first time MLBB was showcased. Back then it was only a demo event but he and the team poured their hearts out into that tournament. They made history in doing so, and they plan to repeat that success this year as well.
“Sobrang tagal ko na hindi bumabalik sa SEA Games at gusto ko rin mag-represent ng country kagaya ng dati,” said Team Sibol’s KarlTzy when asked why getting back into the national team was so important for him. “Kasi nung dati, sobrang bata ko pa, so masaya talaga ako na nakabalik ako dito.”
Back to Where it All Began
Being only 16 years old to suddenly representing the Philippines is quite the jump. It’s a massive change in environment, especially since MLBB esports was still in its infancy. But that was also where KarlTzy’s career truly began. His rise to MLBB prominence can be traced back to that milestone success at the 2019 SEA Games, and he’s grown a great deal since then.
“Sa tingin ko mas-handa na ako pero mas-pressured din,” said Team Sibol’s KarlTzy. “Kasi expected na kami yung mananalo. Ayaw ko i-dissappoint yung mga tao.”
The Philippines is considered to be the strongest country for MLBB. Couple that with KarlTzy’s GOAT status among many fans and the pressure to perform must be monumental. However, he and his team know exactly how to handle that kind of weight.
“Nage-enjoy kami sa pag-practice at sa scrims. And alam naman namin na pagdating sa stage, kayang-kaya namin ilabas yung laro namin.”
And for KarlTzy’s thoughts on getting the gold? “Very, very confident. And gusto ko din makuha yung achievement na two-time SEA Games gold medalist.”
That achievement was first claimed by his former teammate Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel. Hopefully he’ll be able to follow in his footsteps.
Banner photo from SIBOL.
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