TEAM LIQUID ID advances to the M6 World Championship Grand Finals after a decisive sweep of the hometown heroes Selangor Red Giants. The last hope of Malaysia has fallen, and the Golden Road has reached its end, but what did the Red Giants sacrifice along the way?
The Selangor Red Giants' path to the M6 World Championship was nothing but legendary, bagging back-to-back MPL Malaysia championships and Mid-Season Cup (MSC) title wins this year alone. The Selangor Red Giants are just one trophy away from making history by becoming the first team to win three major titles in a single year, but the M-Series title eluded them.
Head coach Michael “Arcadia” Bocado could not hold back his emotions as the memories of the Red Giants’ hard-fought journey to reach heights greater than ever resurfaced in perfect clarity.
“I'm very proud of them for what they have achieved, because I think the whole year, we did not actually have any rest. This team, for example, our imports, usually our max days [of] rest are just three days. So this year, we just gave everything that we can to make sure that we achieve every achievement that we can,” coach Arcadia said.
No excuses
Selangor Red Giants kept their nose on the grindstone without complaint, even if it meant paying the high price of greatness.
The Selangor Red Giants endured six intense games in one day, battling Team Spirit in the lower bracket semifinals and Team Liquid ID in the finals, a grueling challenge that coach Arcadia knew all too well.
“Ayokong mag-sound na gumagawa ng excuse, pero actually, second experience ko to na ganito yung setup. Actually, last M4, kami (RRQ Hoshi) rin yung nasa lower bracket, nanalo kami ng first match namin early morning, and then we have a match the same day."
(I don’t want to sound like I’m making excuses, but actually, this is my second experience with this kind of setup. Back in M4, we (RRQ Hoshi) were also in the lower bracket, won our first match early in the morning, and then had another match on the same day) he recalled.
The Red Giants poured their hearts out to make their hometown proud, but they are just humans after all.
“So to be honest, sa akin, may factor siya (fatigue). Let’s be realistic: if you’re playing two games in one day, syempre mapaghahandaan ka, and then wala rin sayo, ano, bawas yung stamina mo. Ang advantage mo lang siguro is galing ka sa winning momentum, pero kung paguusapan tungkol sa fatigue level, for sure mas mababa energy mo."
(So to be honest, for me, fatigue is definitely a factor. Let’s be realistic: if you’re playing two games in one day, of course, the other team can prepare for you, and for you, well, your stamina takes a hit. The only advantage you probably have is coming off a winning momentum, but if we’re talking about fatigue levels, your energy will definitely be lower) coach Arcadia explained.
Sekys struggled with a fever
Throughout their M6 journey, the Selangor Red Giants displayed relentless perseverance, pushing themselves to their utmost limits.
“Going to M6, we know it's not an easy way, because as you know, at the start of M6, it was like a rollercoaster ride, right? We lost our first game, and we managed to bounce back. The boys never gave up. The coaches worked so hard. Sekys’ actually having a high fever since yesterday, and he's still here,” SRG co-founder Simon Lim revealed.
The stakes could not get higher in the race of immortalizing legacy in the Land of Dawn, and coach Arcadia perfectly knew when the credit was due.
“Unfortunately, we did not complete the Golden Road, but I think it's just props to the other teams who [are] playing also really well. So the competition just keeps on getting tougher, but I think when it comes to my team, I'm just proud of them. Getting achievements, four trophies in one year, it's not an easy feat. I think that's something that, as a team, we're still happy and content,” he added, looking at the silver lining of Selangor Red Giants’ elimination on the world stage.
There is no true loss in failure if it equips you with life-changing lessons that strengthen your resolve and keep your passion burning bright.
“I think they had a good experience kung ano yung feel ng environment, yung pressure. I think they really did their best. Not just the imports, sa buong team binigay talaga nila yung puso nila. Talagang kinapos lang kami. Part of the game, part of life."
(I think they had a good experience of what the environment feels like, the pressure. I think they really did their best. Not just the imports, but the whole team truly gave their hearts. We just came up short. It's part of the game, part of life) coach Arcadia expressed.
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