From Daet to the Big Stage: Ferdz’s Steady Rise
Photo from MPL Philippines / Richard Esguerra
From Daet to the Big Stage: Ferdz’s Steady Rise
MAKATI — When Team Falcons PH unveiled their roster for MPL Philippines Season 16, fans immediately noticed one major change. The six-man lineup that carried over from Bren Esports’ ten-man roster back in Season 10 was now missing a familiar name.
Vincent “Pandora” Unigo, the long-time sixth man and EXP laner, stepped away from the competitive scene. In his place came a new yet familiar face — Edferdz “Ferdz” Fernandez, the 20-year-old standout who built his name in the MDL Philippines under RRQ Kaito.
Sitting behind the media desks after a Falcons press conference, Ferdz reflected on what it meant to finally reach the MPL.
“Thankful po ako sa Team Falcons na naniwala sa akin — mga players, coach, lahat. Nandito po ako para hindi sila biguin,” he told Fulcrum Esports.
Dream Team to Dreams Come True
Hailing from Daet, Camarines Norte, 342 kilometers away from Manila, Ferdz’s story started in local tournaments — particularly with Dream Team, a stacked roster in his province that included future MPL MENA mainstay Renier “Mike Sama” Bagadiong.
Their biggest moment came when they captured the MB2K MLBB Tournament Season 2 championship, a local esports competition sponsored by their municipal government.
“Hindi ko makakalimutan yung experience na MB2K na palaro ng mayor namin sa Camarines Norte,” he said with a smile, reminiscing about those early days.
Even after making it to the national stage, Ferdz kept in touch with his former teammates and opponents whenever he returned home.
“Kada umuuwi po ako ng probinsya, kinikita ko naman po sila,” he shared.
“Magaling daw ako pero parang nakakairita yung pagkakasabi niya,” he added with a laugh, recalling a friendly jab from an old rival.
It was in those local competitions that Ferdz realized he could go further.
“(Dumating) yung time na na-realize ko na naglalaan ako ng (mahabang) oras. Nagbibigay na ako ng effort and nag-eenjoy din po ako,” he said.
The Rise of The Wild One
In 2023, RRQ Kaito signed Ferdz for their debut MDL season, but it was in Season 3 where he exploded onto the scene. He led the Kingdom to their first and only MDL Philippines title. He also claimed the Regular Season MVP honors, averaging 2.5 kills, 1.6 deaths, and 5.0 assists per game.
RRQ Kaito continued their success with back-to-back podium finishes — runner-up in Season 4 and semifinalists in Season 5 — with Ferdz serving as a core pillar in the EXP lane.
His success culminated in a national call-up to SIBOL, where he represented the Philippines in the 2024 IESF World Esports Championship. Competing under the tag PHI.Fernandez, he and the team earned a silver medal, finishing just behind Malaysia and ahead of top-tier teams from Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
“Hindi na lang po ML yung binabase doon e. Dala po namin yung pinaglalaban naming bansa. Apelyido mo na ang dala mo don, family mo na. Hindi na ito basta-bastang laro lang,” Ferdz shared.
He credited his growth to the people who believed in him early — his former RRQ Kaito manager Irene “QueenBii” Sosa, and caster Manjean Faldas.
“Thank you kasi ikaw yung unang nag-support sa akin pagdating dito sa esports, noong wala akong kaalam-alam sa pagpasok ko sa MDL,” he said. “Ikaw talaga yung parang nag-advise sa akin kung ano yung mga dapat gawin, kung tama o mali.”
As for Manjean, Ferdz recalled their bond fondly:
“Hindi ko makakalimutan yung mga advice mo, miss na kita.”
New Chapter, Same Fire
Now with Team Falcons, Ferdz — nicknamed “The Wild One” and jokingly called “Doc Ferdz” by his peers — brings his experience and swagger to the MPL. Despite his reputation for being a bit of a character, he insists it’s all situational.
“50-50 po yan,” he said, grinning. “Depende siya sa kung ano yung vibes ng isang lugar o sa ipapakitang ugali.”
Joining a veteran team that’s been together since Season 12, Ferdz initially expected it would be harder to fit in.
“Akala ko po mahirapan po ako mag-adjust sa ugali kaysa sa laro,” he admitted.
Instead, he found the Falcons environment easier than expected.
“Mas napadali po yung pakikisama ko sa kanila. Iba rin po kasi kapag wala pong problema sa ugali nila,” he said, calling his teammates “professional sa lahat ng bagay.”
When asked who the real troublemaker was, he didn’t hesitate to point to David Charles “FlapTzy” Canon.
“Hindi ko mapaliwanag eh, basta po si Flap. Kapag nakita mo si Flap, alam mo na agad,” Ferdz said, laughing as FlapTzy passed by during the interview. “Pero guys, mahal ka yun si Flap,” he added with a grin.
“Step by Step”
For someone who once dreamed of becoming a sailor— and who still jokes about avoiding math — Ferdz’s climb to the MPL is a story of patience and steady growth.
“Huwag niyong sayangin yung opportunity na dumating sa inyo. Step by step lang,” he said when asked for advice to young players chasing their dreams. “Huwag masyadong magmadali kasi hindi lahat ng gusto mong mangyari is minamadali. Be patient.”
From Daet’s local tournaments to the MPL main stage, Ferdz has come full circle. Grounded, grateful, and still hungry to prove that the “Wild One” has only just begun to roar.
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