Edward at 500: Calm, Collected, and Still Chasing
Photo from MPL Philippines / Richard Esguerra
Edward at 500: Calm, Collected, and Still Chasing
MAKATI — Edward Jay “Edward” Dapadap walked into Aurora Gaming’s decider game against ONIC Philippines in MPL Philippines Season 16’s regular season with his usual calm demeanor. What he didn’t realize at that moment was that he was about to hit a milestone only two others in MPL Philippines history had ever reached.
On that day, the superstar EXP laner became just the third player to record 500 career MPL Philippines games, joining Hall of Legends members Angelo Kyle “Pheww” Arcangel and Karl Gabriel “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno.
Edward marked the occasion in style. Aurora secured a crucial win, and the Bataan native capped off his 500th appearance with a flawless performance on Lapu-Lapu — two kills, no deaths, five assists, and the MVP nod.
Just Playing the Game
For most, the moment would have been overwhelming. But Edward? He barely felt it.
“Hindi actually, kasi kapag nakakaroon ako ng milestone, hindi ko rin talaga siya napi-feel,” he admitted in a quick sit-down with Fulcrum Esports. “Nag-e-enjoy ako and gusto ko yung ginagawa ko.”
It’s not the first time Edward has shrugged off personal milestones. Even when he breached the thousand-kill mark last season, he treated it like any other day. His focus, he says, has always been on enjoying the game rather than counting the numbers.
That mindset is a far cry from his early days, when he once described himself as a “sad boy.”
“Noong Season 6, sad boy ako dun eh. Feeling ko (noon) wala namang future (sa MPL) eh,” he quipped.
Everything changed in Season 7 when Blacklist International acquired the legendary duo of Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna and Danerie James “Wise” del Rosario.
“Noong dumating yung VeeWise noong Season 7, doon na naliwanagan na agad yung career ko. Parang doon ako na-unlock sa pagiging EXP lane,” he said.
From Mage to Bruiser
When Edward first entered the MPL, lane assignments weren’t as defined as they are today. He actually started out playing mage heroes like Selena, Kagura, and Pharsa.
“Alam na ba ng lahat na dating mage user ako?” he joked.
It wasn’t until his time teaming with fellow Bataan native Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol, then known as “FULL CLIP,” that Edward transitioned into the bruiser role fans know him for today — a move that was cemented with the arrival of VeeWise.
“Nagulat ako noong i-EXP lane ako, nag-fit sa akin yung role na yun. Kasi more on 1v1 mechanics ako.”
Edward credited his background in Dota 2 as a midlaner for helping him adapt to the role.
“Sa Dota kasi mid lane eh. 1v1 din kasi yun sa mid. So kumbaga micro-han din talaga yun. Siguro yung skillset ko o kung anong meron ako ngayon ay dahil sa previous game na nilalaro ko,” he explained, citing Storm Spirit and Shadow Fiend as some of his favorite picks back then.
Highs, Lows, and Legacy
Across 500 games in MPL and more in other tournaments, Edward has experienced just about everything: domestic titles, international triumphs, and heartbreaks. The toughest, he recalled, wasn’t any MPL setbacks, but came during the M4 World Championship in Jakarta.
“Parang pinaka-upset sa amin yun kasi, doon na mabubuo yung legacy namin o yung pagiging legend naming lima,” he said. Winning back-to-back M-Series titles would have cemented Blacklist International’s place as the undisputed greatest.
“Kumbaga, ang hirap gawin kasi nun eh. Yun ang pinamasakit sakin at sa aming lahat.”
But Edward’s career is also defined by his highlight plays. He still remembers his unforgettable clutch at M3 against North America’s BloodThirstyKings. In Game 3 of the lower bracket final, his Paquito took down Michael “MobaZane” Cosgun’s Roger in a desperate base defense — despite being surrounded by three other BTK members.
“Nung pinanood ko rin, ‘di ko alam kung paano ko nagawa, kung paano ko na-pull off iyon,” he said with a laugh.
The Chase for MSC
With multiple titles and accolades under his belt, Edward could easily consider stepping away. But retirement? That’s not in his vocabulary.
“Wala eh,” he said plainly when asked if he’s ever thought about it.
Instead, he has his eyes set on the one crown missing from his collection: the MSC trophy. Twice he’s come close — in 2021 and 2023 — but the championship remains elusive.
“Di ko pa naramdaman yung 1 million USD eh,” he laughed. “Gusto ko muna maramdaman ang MSC bago ako mag-retire.”
At just 20 years old, turning 21 this September, Edward knows he still has plenty of MLBB left to play. And he intends to keep grinding until he gets that missing piece.
A Simple Message
When asked what advice he would give to aspiring pros, Edward kept it short and simple:
“Experience.”
He recalled joining grassroots events like the Smart PlayFest in the early days of competitive MLBB. It was the very tournament when Coach Kristoffer Ed “Bon Chan” Ricaplaza saw his potential. backed when he’s still only 15.
“Doon kasi ako nagsimula and, (after noon) hindi na ako kinakabahan sa mga official matches.”
It may be a single word, but it reflects Edward’s journey: start small, play community and sponsor-backed tournaments, build resilience, and work your way up through sheer determination.
Calm at 500, Hungry for More
Edward is now part of the exclusive 500-game club — a mark of endurance and excellence. But for him, it’s just another step along the way.
As he’s done since the beginning, he will approach the next chapter the same way: calm, collected, and simply enjoying the game. The milestones, trophies, and legacy will follow — one match at a time.
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