AFTER YEARS of hustling and grinding with Smart Omega, now Joshua "Ch4knu" Mangilog has found a new home with TNC Pro Team. His arrival was already hinted the moment he appeared on Setsuna "Akosi Dogie" Ignacio's vlog during the preseason.
With him taking over the reigns left by Tristan "Yawi" Cabrera, who has brought a resurgence to the club, all eyes will be on Ch4knu if he can carry on TNC's momentum and lead the team to greater heights.
As he joins the team, how are things different between these two star-studded roamers?
Mechanically who is more skilled?
Both Ch4knu and Yawi have produced a lot of explosive plays in their careers like the numerous times Ch4knu has salvaged his team with his Khufra setups or the house of highlights that Yawi produced for ECHO PH back in the M4 World Championship.
So between the two, who is more mechanically gifted? Here's what TNC Coach Patrick "E2MAX" Caidic thinks.
"Pagdating naman doon sa pagkawala ni Yawi, tingin ko hindi naman siya ganoon kalaking factor, hindi mapipilay yung team kasi si Ch4knu yung skills niya hindi nalalayo kay Yawi," he revealed.
However...
While both are amazing in terms of their initiation setups, there is one distinct difference between the both of them: shotcalling. So who has the edge?
"Siguro yung pinagkaiba ni Yawi kay Ch4knu, ang naririnig ko si Yawi medyo hype pagdating sa comms. Ang kabaliktaran kay Ch4knu sa kahit anong scenario kalmado lang. Yun siguro yung pinakanabago e."
"Kaya siguro magaan din yung comms," reflected E2MAX.
He wasn't the only one who believed that Ch4knu offers a calming presence as other members of the squad have also expressed their thoughts.
Just ask Justine "Zaida" Palma.
"Yung pagiging kalmado ni Ch4knu sa team namin, yung hindi masyadong hype. Kami sa team namin, hindi namin maiiwasan ma-hype kasi parang bago kasi kami dito. Siya sobrang experience yung dala niya sa team. Malaking bagay siya kasi sobrang kalmado namin," said the TNC jungler.
A perfect fit?
As someone who has played for both Ch4knu and Yawi throughout his career, perhaps Frederic Benedict "Bennyqt" Gonzales could perfectly assess who among the two players would suit TNC better.
"I think sa skills pantay naman sila. Sadyang iba yung style ni Yawi kay Ch4knu," started the former ECHO PH gold laner.
However there will be situations where Yawi's style of play would be better suited for the team and the same goes with Ch4knu.
"Pagdating sa comms, may situation din naman na need na hype yung call ng roamer, minsan may ipinakita sila na initiation na maganda which is yung strength ni Yawi as an initiator."
"Pagdating kay Ch4knu kalmado. Parang sa ngayon mas nagfi-fit siya sa amin kasi last season the more na nagiging hard yung engage namin, lahat napapasunod. May mga times na hindi pa ready yung iba," said Bennyqt.
Based on what they've revealed, it seems Ch4knu may have a promising career with the Phoenix. But at the end of the day, the results will eventually speak for itself.
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