The lighter side of CJ Ribo

CJ Ribo is a world champion and a legend. But who is the GOAT without all the accolades?
by Mario Alvaro Limos | Aug 15, 2023

Despite all the accolades, there is no ounce of entitlement on CJ Ribo. The Hall of Legends inductee and M-Series World Champion would arrive early at appointments, offer his seat to you, and even treat you to your favorite fast food every day.

“Araw-araw po niya ako nililibre ng McDo,” says Smart Omega’s rookie player Ezequiel "Spidey" Cauilan when asked how Ribo acts like an older brother to the team.

Not a diva by all accounts, Ribo would even be your driver and offer his spacious van if the team needs to go somewhere.

In an exclusive interview with SPIN.ph, we uncover the lighter side of Ribo, who cracks a smile at zany jokes and nearly gets in trouble for his many unfiltered remarks.

CJ Ribo shares a light moment with SPIN.ph

CJ Ribo shares a light moment with SPIN.ph

ALSO READ:

Smart OMEGA reveals CJ Ribo as secret weapon

CJ Ribo to Wise: 'Wala naman din akong dapat patunayan sa MPL'

CJ Ribo Without the Accolades

Back when he was a player for ZOL in MDL Philippines Season 1, Ribo would act as kuya to his younger teammates. He would dispense advise when the team would lose morale, and marshal the players to be in their top form. He never shouts or berates anyone.

To anyone around Ribo, they would attest that the Hall of Legends inductee is just a regular guy who is approachable and very generous with his time, attention, and resources. He has a tendency to be straightforward and honest without realizing it, but many times, his unfiltered remarks end up as self-incriminating punchlines.

On social media, the legend is a recluse and sparingly posts. He has no TikTok and does not dance. His Instagram is set to private. In a May 29 post on Facebook, he tagged ECHO’s KarlTzy and captioned it, “Ito ang tunay na GOAT.”

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

While talking to Ribo, he shares the story of his humble beginnings, and pieces of his core memories that he has carried with him to this day.

“Noong unang-una, tambay-tambay lang ako, umaasa lang sa magulang,” Ribo tells SPIN.ph.

Like many parents, his mother and father would reprimand him for staying out late or playing too much computer games. They would suspend his allowance so he would not spend it at computer shops. There was one night he got locked out of the house and slept outside because he did not come home on time.

“Dati, naglalaro na talaga ako ng computer games. Dota, Counter Strike, tapos mga RPG, Ragnarok. Sabi ng magulang ko, wala daw akong mapapala sa paglalaro. Hindi daw magandang future iyon,” said Ribo.

CJ Ribo laughs as we pull an inside joke.

CJ Ribo laughs as we pull a joke on him.

CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
Watch Now

We asked what he said to his parents when he entered esports and became a world champion.

“Binalik ko yung sinabi nila sa akin.”

Ribo pauses and thinks, and then laughs at his own unfiltered comment. But he quickly doubles back.

“Pero sabi ko, ‘Nay, ito na yung pagsisikap sa paglalaro. Ito na akong ngayon. Makakatulong na ako sa inyo.’”

Ribo’s other love: Motorbikes

When Ribo was 15 years old, one of his friends introduced him the addictive world of motorbikes.

“Natuto akong magmotor dahil yung mga tropa ko may mga motor, tapos nanonood kami ng mga karera ng motor, drag racing,” shares Ribo. He was still in high school at that time.

“Tapos may tropa ako, nag-retiro sa pagda-drag racing. Tinuruan niya ako mag drag racing. Natuto na ako noon, nasali na ako sa mga legal race,” said Ribo.

“May illegal din naman,” he added, with a grinning face.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

He owned a Mio 125 and an Aerox, which he used for drag races. He also used Raider, scooters, and 2-stroke bikes.

“Five years din ako nangarera,” he said.

“Saan kayo nangangarera noon, sa Macapagal?” we asked.

“Pag illegal.” Ribo answered.

Ribo catches a glimpse of us suppressing laughter. He also laughs, then quickly backtracks.

“Hindi naman siya illegal! Ano lang, parang tambay lang din, tapos nagkakahamunan. Parang yabangan lang,” Ribo says.

CJ Ribo and his return to MPL

After a very long hiatus from the professional esports scene, Ribo is back and is thirsting to prove he’s still not rusty.

“Papatunayan ko sa kanila na hindi porket matagal na sa MLBB pro scene, hindi na makakasabay sa mga bata,” said Ribo.

Now that he’s in Smart Omega for MPL Philippines Season 12, CJ Ribo fulfills the foreshadowing of his return to the league.

“Isa na ring [dahilan] yung sinabi sa akin ni Wise noon,” said Ribo referring to Wise’s statement.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

That exchange all started when MPL host Mara Aquino asked Ribo during Season 11 about which team he thinks has weakened. Ribo responded: "Sa tingin ko humina, Blacklist! Dati lagi silang top one e, and ngayon tinatalo na sila ng BREN, saka ng Omega, o ECHO!"

Eventually, Mara asked Wise what he felt about the Ribo’s statement. "Okay lang! Matagal din naman kaming nag-dominate bago kami humina, saka at least sana nasa MPL pa rin kami!" said Wise.

At that time, Ribo was in the MDL scene. But in a twist of irony, now that Ribo’s returned to the MPL, the Royal Duo V33Wise are the ones taking a break,.

Ribo chuckles as he remembers that exchange. He grins.

“Ang dami rin kasing bashers! Damay pati negosyo ko eh,” he said.

Bashers belittled Ribo’s van rental business, implying he is now just a small-timer.

For the first time, CJ Ribo talks about his investments.

“Natawa ako doon. Syempe nung pinost ko yung screenshot ng basher, nalaman ng mga tao na may van rental ako,” said Ribo. Currently, he owns three vans. He also has a number of cars on top of the vans he rents out.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

But that’s only a small fraction of his investments. Ribo has bought his own house and lot in an upscale subdivision in Paranaque. It is something he is really proud of yet had never told anyone until now.

We asked why he never flexed it like other esports players do when they finally buy their own house.

“Ayoko i-flex, baka sabihin nagyayabang.”

On the surface, Ribo is easy to misjudge as arrogant. But looking beyond his unfiltered and often self-incriminating remarks, there is a lighter side to CJ Ribo: A candor that’s rare and often hard to find.

Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

Read Next
Watch Now
Sorry, no results found for
PHOTO: Mario Alvaro Limos
  • POLL

    • Quiz

      Quiz Result