Ending in first place in your debut season is pretty big for a rookie. So where does the young rookie go from here?
For Dave “Teddyqt” Viaña, his rookie season in MPL PH Season 17 as Team Liquid’s new Gold Laner couldn’t have gone any better. The team has locked in their upper bracket spot in the playoffs in one of their most dominant seasons yet.
For Teddyqt specifically, his seamless inclusion to Team Liquid was impressive considering the team’s rocky start. They were expected to play with Sultan “AeronnShikii” Muhammad, Team Liquid Indonesia’s Gold Laner. However, legal difficulties led to AeronnShikii becoming ineligible to play, which then forced the team to play with substitute Kim “Daiki” Sebanes for week one of the season.
Despite the uncertainty around that time, Team Liquid won both their matches in week one. Once Teddyqt was pulled up from their academy team, they would go on a nine-game win streak that was stopped only by Team Falcons. Throughout all of that, Teddyqt would hold his own against the best Gold Laners in the Philippines and even had multiple opportunities to shine. He proved to be the right fit for Team Liquid but he knows that there’s more work to be done.
“Kung ira-rate ko yung sarili ko as a player this season, five out of 10 ako,” Teddyqt told The GAME in an exclusive interview.. “Kasi hindi pa ako that experienced and alam ko na mas marami pa ako matutunan as the season goes by and pag natuloy pa ‘yung career ko.”
A middling score seems rather harsh from the young rookie, but Teddyqt sees the value of experience. He’s confident in his own abilities but he knows that there’s more factors to your performance than just pure skill. The veterans of the MPL have seen and learned much more than him and that’s the only thing he lacks.
“Experience lang talaga ‘yung lamang nila sa akin. ‘Yun na lang yung kailangan ko para ma-improve ko ‘yung sarili ko.”
The only way to gain experience is with time. So we look forward to seeing how much Teddyqt will grow in the future.
Banner image from MPL Philippines on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dave “Teddyqt” Viaña is Team Liquid’s rookie Gold Laner in MPL PH Season 17. He was pulled up from the team’s academy roster after eligibility issues affected their planned starting Gold Laner and went on to help secure an upper bracket playoffs spot.
Team Liquid had planned to field Sultan “AeronnShikii” Muhammad, Team Liquid Indonesia’s Gold Laner, but legal difficulties made him ineligible to play. The team used substitute Kim “Daiki” Sebanes for week one before Teddyqt was pulled up from the academy squad.
After being pulled up from Team Liquid’s academy team, Teddyqt helped the squad go on a nine-game win streak, which was snapped only by Team Falcons. He held his own against the league’s best Gold Laners throughout MPL PH Season 17.
Teddyqt rated his rookie season a five out of 10, saying he still lacks the experience of MPL veterans despite his confidence in his own skill. He said gaining more experience over time is what he needs to keep improving.
Team Liquid locked in an upper bracket playoffs spot in MPL PH Season 17, one of the team’s most dominant seasons, with Teddyqt’s seamless integration as Gold Laner playing a key role despite the team’s rocky start.
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