RRQ Hoshi, one of the most successful teams in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Pro League Indonesia (MPL ID), has announced plans to hire Filipino players for the upcoming MPL ID Season 12. The team’s CEO, Andrian “AP” Pauline, confirmed the plan, saying that Team RRQ is looking to scout young and talented players from the competitive scene in the Philippines. This move comes after RRQ’s poor performance in the previous season, where they failed to progress beyond 4th spot.
During MPL ID Season 11, RRQ Hoshi struggled to secure their ticket to the playoffs after losing one of their key players, Rivaldi “R7” Fattah, to a hand injury. With a change in lineup and management, the team eventually lost to Alter Ego in the upper bracket semi-finals and got eliminated against underperformed Evos in the lower bracket semi-finals. This led to a reorganization of the team and the departure of coach Michael Angelo “Arcadia” Bocado.
RRQ Hoshi’s CEO, AP, has confirmed that the team is open to signing foreign players, including Filipino talent. While he admitted to trying to sign Filipino players before MPL ID Season 10, he noted that the transfer fee and cultural fit would be important factors in deciding whether to add them to the roster.
Backlash again?
The move to bring in foreign players is not new for RRQ Hoshi. Last year, they expanded their Valorant team to include players from both Indonesia and the Philippines, which was met with criticism from some fans. However, this has not stopped the organization from pursuing talent from other countries.
Filipino players have become increasingly popular among MPL ID teams, with their unique playing style and aggressiveness complementing the Indonesian teams’ tactical approach. For example, Allen “Baloyskie” Baloy helped Geek Fam reach their first MPL ID playoffs in MPL ID Season 11, while Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol became Onic Esports’ ace jungler and helped the team win back-to-back MPL ID championships in Seasons 10 and 11.
While RRQ Hoshi’s move to sign foreign players may lead to backlash from some fans, it is a common practice in esports to bring in talent from other countries to improve team performance. With the upcoming MPL ID Season 12, RRQ Hoshi will have the opportunity to redeem themselves and potentially secure a spot in the 2023 MLBB Southeast Asia Cup.
In conclusion, RRQ Hoshi’s decision to explore the possibility of signing Filipino players for their MPL ID Season 12 roster shows their commitment to improving their performance and winning back the crown as the “king of kings” of MPL ID. With the ongoing MPL PH Season 11, it remains to be seen which players the organization will target and whether they will be able to successfully integrate them into their roster.
