SIBOL after finals loss vs. Malaysia: ‘We could’ve done better’
SIBOL after finals loss vs. Malaysia: ‘We could’ve done better’
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – “I wish we could’ve done better honestly kasi natalo namin sila sa group stages.
This was Coach Jian Paulo “PHI.Munsayac” Munsayac’s thoughts after SIBOL’s national MLBB team suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Malaysia in the grand final of the IESF World Esports Championship 2024 yesterday.
In an interview with members of the MPL Philippines Press Corps, SIBOL know that Coach Michael Angelo “Arcadia” Bocado will adjust their drafts after they defeat them 2-0 in the group stage.
“It made sense that they were gonna change something in their draft, which they did. So kudos to Coach Arcadia for doing a very good job in drafting,” Munsayac stated, adding that he expected a much closer fight on the big stage.
Enter KyleTzy
However, the team stated that they had a change in aggression when Falcons AP.Bren’s jungler Michael Angelo “PHI.Sayson” Sayson arrived on the scene.
Munsayac himself said that their experience with a similar training regimen to FCAP quickly suits up Sayson.
“Yung training regimen namin is very similar to the MPL teams so nothing really changed except for the aggression of the team and the playstyle of the team noong dumating na si Kyle(Sayson), Munsayac added.
Sayson seconded the RRQ Kaito’s gaffer, who happens to be one of his coaches back in MPL PH Season 10.
Sobrang bilis ko lang po nakapag-adjust sa kanila kasi meron na din akong ka-close sa kanila eh so parang yun, parang alam ko na yung mga level nila, Sayson said.
Challenges before the big day
SIBOL noted that they faced some hurdles before IESF’s main event began.
“We actually had to wait for Kyle to finish MPL (Philippines Season 14) first bago kami mga pag-practice with Kyle. We also had to finish GEG (Global Esports Games 2024) first as representing team Philippines,” Munsayac said.
The head coach also said that they had to divide scrimmages between Sayson and their main jungler Gabriel “PHI.Guinto” Guinto for preparations in both IESF and the recently-concluded ESL Snapdragon Pro Series S6 APAC Open Finals.
However, the team knew that they have a chip on their shoulder from the start of the tournament.
“Parang, we want to prove the doubters wrong. Kasi wala naman nag-e-expect sa amin noon eh. Kasi katulad nga ng sinasabi ng mga tao, we’re just an MDL team,” Munsayac said. “But nobody expected us to be going into the grand finals in the first place. So, yeah, I’m very proud of the boys and what they accomplished.”
Cymond “PHI.Torres” Torres echoed Munsayac’s statement.
“Noong simula kasi walang nagtidiwala sa amin eh. Di pa nagsisimula yung laro, nagda-doubt na sila sa amin na hindi kami mananalo. Pero, umabot kami ng grand finals,” Torres said.
But they take the experience and the silver medal finish as a huge achievement and exposure boost.
“ So far po, sobrang saya ng naging experience kahit na natalo kami nung finals. Napakagandang exposure pa rin po na to sa amin since nasa MDL league pa po kami,” said Munsayac.
Adjustments against SRG MY version
When asked about the Malaysian playstyle, Munsayac and the rest of SIBOL described it as a team-oriented, dive-heavy one.
“They (Malaysia) go in as a team. Pag nagti-teamfight sila, talagang committed as a team sila,” Munsayac said. “Gusto nalang i-sustain yung teamfight para matagal yung teamfight. Kasi dun sila malakas.”
Deniel Dennison “PHI.Gomez” Gomez and Edferdz “PHI.Fernandez” Fernandez added to Munsayac’s statement.
“Gusto lang nila lang clash ng clash,” Gomez added, noting that it is more like a brawl mode in the game.
“Napansin din namin medyo nag-lie low sila sa pick-off mode. Parang inabuso nila yung utility (jungle),” said Fernandez.
The national team however stated that they were used to competing against top-tier competition from scrims to qualifying tournaments.
Kahit na nasa MDL league kami is yung sa may SIBOL qualifiers, nagkaroon kami ng kalaban such as AP.Bren and yung MPL ng Omega, Carl Edriel “PHI.Gallantes” Gallantes said.
“Alam na po namin yung kakaharapin namin sa international scene na most likely is ganoon po yung pressure,” the midlaner added.
“Pick your fights wisely”
SIBOL gave an insight into SRG’s playstyle, although Munsayac quipped that things will be different when John Vincent “Innocent” Banal and Mark Genzon “Kramm” Rusiana returned to the team in the upcoming M6 World Championships.
Pinaka-importante is yung river control. Pangalawa is picking your fights wisely. Di nyo sila pwedeng sabayan sa teamfight kasi yun yung forte nila,” said Munsayac. “Pumili sila ng teamfights wisely and then just use their macro. Just be patient.”
Gomez added to Munsayac’s statement specifically on Sekys, who is notorious on hiding on bushes before jumping in on crucial team fights and objective takings.
“Kailangan ma-vision lagi si Sekys kasi once na nakikita lagi siya, ano, hindi niya alam kung anong gagawin niya,” said Gomez.
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