In a surprising turn of events, Echo star Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera bid farewell to his teammates last night, marking the end of a turbulent chapter that had gripped headlines for the past two months. Speculation surrounding Cabrera’s potential move to Indonesia gained traction with this departure.
The world champion’s departure was allegedly fueled by internal strife within Echo during the playoffs of the MLBB Pro League Philippines Season 12 last year, where he lost his position to a newcomer Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz. Tensions escalated when threats from Yawi’s fanbase pressured Echo’s management to maintain his full-time position, while Echo’s ardent supporters criticized his performance following a crucial loss to Blacklist in October 2023, costing the Orcas a slot in the M5 tournament.
Consequently, Echo opted to sideline Yawi indefinitely, notably excluding him from the MPL Invitational in Jakarta, Indonesia, in December 2023, fueling speculation about his future with the team. His departure was formalized through a video announcement on Echo’s official page yesterday, where he expressed gratitude to the organization, including coaching staff, management, and teammates, for their support and contribution to his growth.
While the announcement saddened many, it was met with enthusiasm from the MLBB community in Indonesia, bolstering rumors of Cabrera’s move. If confirmed, Cabrera is poised to join Aura Esports in Indonesia, the parent organization of Echo in Southeast Asia, as evidenced by his participation in scrims with Aura players competing in the MPL Indonesia.
