EVERYTHING APPEARS to have fallen into place for Frediemar “3MarTzy” Serafico as he makes his comeback to MPL Philippines after five long seasons under TNC Pro Team, but it is more than just a mere homecoming; it is a tale of redemption.
In a room of 100 people, 99 may doubt you, but just one believer can change everything—and for 3MarTzy, that believer was Setsuna "Akosi Dogie" Ignacio, who had faith in him from day one.
“Yung relation namin ni Boss D (Dogie), after po ng Season 7 run po sa MPL, parang ini-invest-an niya na po talaga ako. Gusto niya na ako kunin talaga, pero may buyout ako. Sa ibang taon din, ganun din po yung nangyayari. Gusto niya akong kunin, pero may buyout na sobrang mahal."
"Then, nung nag-tryout ako, nalaman ko po paano siya mag-coach or paano siya magturo ng mga player. May laman din po talaga yung mga sinasabi niya. Sobrang na-motivate ako, and then nadidisiplina rin talaga ako.” 3MarTzy said.
Dogie is best known for his comedic side and hilarious jokes, but when life gets real, he takes things seriously. With his tight-knit bond with 3MarTzy, what wisdom does he impart?
A second chance
“Huwag ko sayangin yung oras ko. Huwag ko sayangin yung oras na binibigay sa akin sa pro scene. Kung kaya ko pa makipagsabayan, makipagsabayan lang ako,” he added, embracing Dogie’s words of wisdom and guidance in life.
3MarTzy may have only stepped into the action for TNC Pro Team past the midway point of MPL Philippines Season 15, but he continues to work hard to ensure every performance leaves an impact.
“Noong una po, sobrang saya ko po kasi makakabalik na po talaga ako sa MPL kasi noong last laro ko po sa MPL PH pa po Season 10. So nung nalaman ko po na maglalaro ulit ako, nagbatak po talaga ako. Yung mga bad habits ko tinanggal ko na. Nagbatak talaga ako, nag-grind talaga ako sa mga practice namin. Talagang ina-acknowledge ko talaga yung mga sinasabi sa akin ng mga coach,” 3MarTzy said.
“Lagi naman po kami nire-remind ng coaches namin na mag-ready lang kami kasi anytime or kahit anong mangyari pwede kami ipasok sa line-up. Ang ginagawa po namin ni Koyl, nag-pa-practice lang po talaga kami together,” he added.
Everything happens for a reason
The 20-year-old EXP laner parted ways with ECHO Philippines (now Team Liquid Philippines) after MPL Philippines Season 10, but what pushed 3MarTzy to take bold steps, and how did life shape his humility?
“Feel ko po kasi nung season 10, parang sobrang galing ko po. Gusto ko po talaga ng playing time, pero si Sanford po kasi parang sobrang galing niya talaga. Parang hindi ko talaga kaya tapatan yung galing niya. So I decided to leave the team, and then maghanap po talaga ng team na para sa akin. Then hindi ko po alam na mag-end up ako sa MDL Indonesia,” he said, opening up about one of the turning points in the past.
Taking a leap of faith overseas, 3MarTzy joined Pendekar Esports in MDL Indonesia Season 7 before moving to See You Soon in MPL Cambodia Season 7.
But beyond what most people know, 3MarTzy’s overseas journey was a tough one, marked by uncertainty and moments where stepping away from the professional scene crossed his mind.
“Umabot po ako sa point ng buhay ko na naging ganyan po yung mindset ko (quitting on being a pro). Until nung bumalik po ako sa Pilipinas, parang doon po talaga bumalik yung gigil ko eh,” 3MarTzy confessed.
Reawakening the hunger for greatness
Standing alongside the Phoenix Army’s rise from the ashes reignited his hunger to achieve greatness.
“Nung nasa ibang bansa po kasi ako, hindi po kami nag-sasabayan ng mga skills. Parang hindi kami nakakasundo ganun. So nung bumalik po ako sa Pilipinas, tapos yung mga kakampi ko po, naging kakampi ko dati, naganahan ako lagi. Bumalik po talaga yung gutom ko kasi nararamdaman ko po sa kanila na sobrang gigil at gutom nila manalo,” he explained, recalling the times he had a hard time adjusting as an import player.
There’s no better timing with TNC Pro Team returning to the winning column after taking down AP.Bren, but this is just the beginning of a new chapter for 3MarTzy.
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