WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP is hard enough, but winning back-to-back titles is an entirely different challenge. The so-called "championship hangover" has plagued many great teams across all sports, where success leads to complacency and an inevitable drop-off in performance. Factors like changing environments, roster movements, and evolving metas often make it difficult to sustain dominance.
For Elevate PuK, however, the goal remains the same: stay hungry and consistent. Dubbed the most dominant CODM team in history, Elevate PuK has reigned supreme in the CODM competitive scene, clinching four straight Garena Masters titles in the Malaysia-Singapore-Philippines (MSP) region and an impressive six consecutive championships overall, including the CODM World Championship 2024.
Led by their battle-tested roster of John “Yop1” Manalang, Patrick “Peejay” Sagudo, Karlo “kLo” Morales, Justin “Susanoo” Cecilio, and John Kenneth “KenDy” Pimentel, alongside their mastermind coach Mark Alexis “Olea” Olea, Elevate PuK refuses to rest on its laurels. Their philosophy is clear: true champions don’t settle.
The mindset of a champion
Success in esports is fleeting, but Elevate PuK has defied the odds by maintaining its dominance. According to Olea, their secret lies in their relentless drive to improve.
"Siguro dahil patuloy pa rin naming ini-aim yung championship title. Kaya siguro gigil pa rin kami manalo at hindi nawawala yung apoy sa amin compared sa ibang teams na once na nag-champion, nawawala yung apoy."
"Ang mindset ng pagiging champion ay pagiging consistent sa ginagawa mo at magkaroon ng improvement kahit 1% araw-araw. Hindi rin namin iniisip na kami yung pinakamalakas, kaya mas gigil kami magpalakas araw-araw."
As the team’s coach, Olea makes it a priority to remind his players never to be satisfied, constantly pushing them to outwork the competition.
"Nire-remind ko palagi sila na once na hindi kami nagpa-practice, maraming lumalakas na teams kaya dapat mag-improve pa rin kami sa ginagawa namin. Ang mindset ng champion ay pagiging disiplinado, consistent, at continuous improvement. Hindi dapat mawala yung apoy kasi if gusto naming mag back-to-back champ sa Worlds, dapat mas doble effort compared last year."
Elevate PuK’s latest triumph in Garena Masters 8 further cements their legacy, marking their fourth straight MSP title and sixth consecutive overall, dating back to their victories in the CODM Summer Invitational in China and the CODM World Championship in Atlanta, USA. For KenDy, the emotions after each win remain the same.
"Masaya kasi worth it lahat ng puyat at pagod namin na ginagawa araw-araw. Masasabi ko lang sa nakalaban namin nung playoffs, try lang nang try."
Setting the meta and staying ahead
Elevate PuK isn’t just winning; they’re revolutionizing the way CODM is played. Their aggressive playstyle has become the gold standard and the biggest catalyst for their dominance, forcing even the best teams from China, India, and North America to try and replicate their approach.
"Madaming gumagaya sa playstyle namin, pero malalim pa na level ang need nilang makuha sa playstyle namin. Wala din makakatalo sa original," Susanoo asserted.
Still, maintaining their edge requires constant adaptation. kLo emphasized the importance of consistency and an unbreakable will to improve.
"Dapat consistent pa rin kami sa practice namin at hindi mawala yung apoy. Kung gaano kami kaganado last year, dapat mas higit pa dun kasi lahat ng teams ngayon, lalo na yung mga Chinese, nag-i-improve at nag-a-adapt sa playstyle namin."
"Mas challenging itong 2025 kasi kami na yung papanoorin ng halos lahat ng teams para lang matalo. Higit sa lahat, dapat masaya ka sa ginagawa mo at nag-e-enjoy ka habang inaabot mo yung pangarap mong mag back-to-back world champion."
The road to more titles for Elevate PuK
With the Garena Summer Invitational fast approaching, Elevate PuK isn’t letting up. Peejay explained their mindset heading into the tournament.
"Kung paano kami magpakundisyon last year, dodoblehin namin kasi tulad ng sabi ni Coach Olea, madaming lumalakas kaya kailangan doblehin namin ginawa namin last year. Sa pwedeng ma-improve pa namin as a team, double hard work and discipline."
Ultimately, their eyes are set on the biggest prize of all: a back-to-back World Championship. For Yop1, there’s no question about their determination.
"100% gusto pa namin mag back-to-back this year. Consistent pa rin kami ngayon at gutom manalo. Dugo, pawis, at pagod ang kaya namin isakripisyo kagaya ng mga pinagdaanan namin last year."
Elevate PuK has already achieved what most teams can only dream of, but for them, the journey is far from over. Their dominance isn’t just about winning – it’s about setting new standards, breaking barriers, and proving that no matter how high the mountain, there’s always another peak to conquer.
As long as they stay hungry, disciplined, and committed to improving, Elevate PuK is poised to continue rewriting the history of CODM esports.
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