Hey, just a heads up – the MLBB Pro League Indonesia Season 13 is coming up soon, and there’s a new trend making waves: the Filipino fever. Yep, the league’s been buzzing with announcements lately, and more Filipino players than ever are joining in this season, promising some serious competition!
But hey, don’t get too carried away thinking all these new players will automatically make the teams superstars. Just because we’ve got more Filipinos in the mix doesn’t mean every team’s gonna skyrocket. After seeing how some teams performed during the preseason, we’re betting this season won’t be a walk in the park, especially if teams are banking solely on their Filipino players. Curious which teams with Filipino compositions might rise to the top? Check them out!
The top dogs
Onic Esports
The mighty Indonesian juggernauts had the world at their feet last year: snatching back-to-back league titles in MPL ID, conquering MSC 2023 in Cambodia, and dominating the Snapdragon Pro Series 2023. Yet, their quest for perfection came crashing down when AP Bren upset them in the M5 grand final by the slimmest of margins, sending shockwaves through the entire MLBB viewers.
Nevertheless, the Yellow Porcupine chose resilience over reconstruction, opting to preserve their winning formula for MPL ID S13. While there have been no major shake-ups yet, the wildcard Albert “Alberttt” Iskandar dazzled in the recently concluded preseason matches in Russia, slowly showing his potential as a rising star.
If they can sustain their chemistry in the months ahead, they’ll pose a daunting challenge for anyone aiming to snatch the title this season. Keep an eye out for Filipino sensation Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol as he aims to set new records in the months to come.
Evos Glory
Once hailed as the kings of MPL ID, Evos reached the pinnacle of glory with their stellar lineup and enjoyed a huge success, becoming a benchmark for the future teams. However, after the heights of season 7 in 2021, their star began to wane. Fast forward two years, and they found themselves relegated to a level where they were no longer considered as contenders.
Determined to reclaim their former glory, they’ve undergone a major overhaul, shedding their Indo Pride to sign two Filipino imports, Jon “Super Red” Bordeos, and head coach John “Theo” Eusebio. With vast experience in both local and international arenas, they’re poised to breathe new life into Evos.
But don’t get excited yet! Their recent preseason results hint at lingering issues, particularly in communication. And the coaching team must address these if they are to avoid squandering Super Red’s potential as they did with Gerald
Dlar” Trinchera in 2022.
RRQ Hoshi
In a bid to revive its fortune, RRQ Hoshi, like its arch-rival Evos Glory, has enlisted top Filipino talent to bolster its squad after a year of decline. With seasoned MPL PH players John “Irrad” Abarquez and Borris “Brusko” Parro, alongside world champion coach Vrendon “Vrendon” Pesebre, it aims to reclaim the former glory.
In the preseason, the dynamic duo of Irrad and Brusko exhibited promising synergy alongside local talents such as Schevenko “Skylar” Tendean and Deden “Clayyy” Nurhasan. However, achieving sustained consistency will be imperative for their aspirations to reign supreme in the MPL ID and to conquer the forthcoming major international competition in Riyadh.
Bigetron Alpha
Defying the odds, underdogs Bigetron Alpha clinching respectable finishes in MPL ID S12 and the Snapdragon Pro Series, earned their stripes as the “Filipino killer”. With a blend of Indonesian veteran and promising talents, the Red Robots proved they are a force to be reckoned with.
This season, they have followed the trend and bringing in Filipino talent in John “JM” Mari and Eman “Emann” Sangco. With former Dota 2 captain Alfi “Khezcute” Syahrin at the helm, it appears that Bigetron Alpha is poised to uphold the impressive form from the previous year, positioning itself as strong contenders for the championship title once more this season. Their strategic triumph over Evos Glory in the recent preseason underscores the pivotal roles played by Emann and JM in harmonizing with the gameplay of their captain, Calvyn “Vyn”.
The underdogs
Aura Fire
The acquisition of top-rated world champion Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera by Aura Fire sparked a frenzy within the MLBB SEA community, drawing widespread attention to the team. His star power was evident as he swiftly ascended to become one of the top MLBB streamers in Indonesia, generating daily buzz among fellow professionals.
However, the initial hype surrounding Yawi’s arrival has been met with a reality check, courtesy of Aura’s lackluster recent performances. Despite high expectations, the team’s preseason outings yielded no discernible improvements. It’s clear that the Aura coaching staff faces an uphill battle in revitalizing team chemistry if they hope to avoid a repeat of last season’s disappointment.
Geek Fam
Led by the Filipino sensation Allen “Baloyskie” Baloy, the Geek army defied expectations last year by clinching their maiden runner-up position in MPL ID S12 and marking their international debut in the Philippines. Baloy’s strategic prowess, coupled with the adaptability of his countrymate, Mark “Markyyy” Capaccio, showcased Geek’s ability to swiftly adjust to any opponent.
However, the upcoming season presents a formidable challenge as Geek bids farewell to prodigy Manuel “Nnael” Simbolon, who has returned to Onic Esports from loan status. With no significant transfers in sight, Geek faces an uphill battle in replicating last season’s triumphs unless they devise fresh tactics to complement the synergy between Baloy and Markyyy. The latest preseason observations suggest that the team is still fine-tuning their balance between aggressive and defensive playstyles, adding an element of intrigue to their journey ahead.
