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These rookies went far in their first MPL season, and they can go even further still.
The mood was heavy at the end of day one of the MPL PH S16 playoffs as Twisted Minds’ coach BON CHAN took the lead in consoling his boys after their early exit.
This team, composed mostly of rookies, showed great promise during the regular season. Their hot start and end-of-season recovery showed that the team really was ready for the MPL stage. But playoffs are a different beast, and coach Kristoffer “BON CHAN” Ricaplaza could see how the higher stakes affected his boys.
“Siguro yung pinaka malaking factor is mental fortitude,” said Twisted Minds’ coach BON CHAN to the media. They put up a valiant effort but still lost to TNC 3-2 after a close series. “Although napaabot namin ng game five, nakikita na may lack of experience sa match point sa malaking stage yung team.”
Coach BON CHAN tried to mitigate this by trying to make a game five draft that puts his players on their most comfortable yet successful heroes. But comfort can only get you so far, and Twisted Minds couldn’t withstand TNC’s pressure.
Rise Back Up, Stronger and Better
Twisted Minds took a while in their last huddle before facing the media for the last time in the season. During that time, coach BON CHAN was setting things straight with his boys — telling them that, despite what happened that day, they had nothing to be ashamed of.
“Tinanong ko sila ano yung nafe-feel niyo? Kasi kung feeling nila na talunan sila, hindi yun tama,” shared Twisted Minds’ coach BON CHAN. “Ang ibig-sabihin ng pagiging talunan is na talo ka ngayon at ayaw mo na sumubok ulit. Tinanong ko sa kanila isa’t-isa kung sino ayaw na sumubok. Lahat sila sumagot ng gusto pa nila rin. Sinabi ko sa kanila na dahil yun yung gusto niyo, hindi talunan yung tawag diyan. And part talaga sa journey ng pagiging successful is matalo.”
More than anything, coach BON CHAN is proud of his team and the fact that they made a statement in season 16. They’ve proven that anyone with the right mindset and enough hunger can challenge the GOAT’s and legends of the league.
“Lagi sinasabi ng mga analyst ‘kailangan mo ng mga star players na may napatunayan, may achievements, alam mo na quality.’ Kailangan mo bumili ng mga players na ganun para makapasok sa playoffs. Napatunayan namin ngayong season na kahit wala kayong ganung players kaya pa rin. Given na may effort yung players mo, open minded sila sa mga ideas and suggestions ng isa’t-isa. Kaya talaga umangat kahit sinong player sa MPL at makapasok sa playoffs”
Banner photo from MPL Philippines.