COACH MICHAEL ANGELO "Arcadia" Bocado's MSC 2024 victory with Selangor Red Giants is reminiscent of that time when Dirk Nowitzki won the NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks back in 2011.
Two individuals whose legacies were defined by a catastrophic failure, only for them to salvage everything with one Herculean push, that saw both of them stun the world.
Who would've thought that Dirk would end up beating Miami Heat's legendary big three, and who would even consider SRG as the favorites especially with the Philippines dominating the scene?
But before they could accomplish such feats, they had to endure the worst moments in their careers. Dirk was viewed as a choke artist after that collapse in the 2006 NBA finals and that playoff upset he suffered in the following season.
Then there was Arcadia who ended Season 9 with a monumental collapse with the ECHO super team, then came his stint with RRQ Hoshi back in Season 11.
"S11 was the worst season of my career and my season was cut short due to some complicated situations. After my stint with RRQ, I found myself at a crossroads," he started in a Facebook post.
"I was really considering if I should quit esports and find a more financially stable job. It's not like I'm getting any younger and as I age my responsibilities only get bigger."
As to why he thought about quitting esports? It was revealed that he had complications.
"As a person who's battling a chronic kidney medical condition (which was actually one of the lowest points in my life when I was diagnosed in 2014, but I guess that's a story for another time), the instability of income in esports is something I often worry about."
Going back to IT
While many would associate Coach Arcadia as an expert in the Mobile Legends scene, his second life would reveal that he is also an tech genius. With the instabilities he mentioned, maybe it was time for him to revert back to his original career path.
"Before getting into esports, I had a career in IT. So I decided maybe its time to return to my first career," he reflected.
But that was also the time when Selangor Red Giants were in need of a head coach and they took their chances on him. Arcadia had a lot of reservations if he will push through especially when thinking about his past experiences.
However this didn't rattle SRG as they kept their faith in him and convinced him to join the squad.
"It was around the time that I was about to accept a corporate job offer when SRG contacted me for the position of head coach. And just like with my first overseas coaching job, I had so many hesitations," narrated Bocado. "My previous experience left me doubting myself and my skills as a coach. But after a month of communication with SRG, they were able to convince me to continue my esports career with them."
A championship run in MPL Malaysia and MSC ultimately silenced the critics who argued that Coach Arcadia was declining.
Overcoming adversity
No longer was he remembered for those painful tears he displayed back in Season 9 as Coach Arcadia made one of the biggest achievements in his career, defeating the defending world champions while maintaining an unbeaten record.
"Now, I realize that I probably would not have made it this far if I didn't experience these challenges and doubts. Overcoming them is what's made me into the person I am today," said Arcadia.
Arcadia wouldn't have been able to accomplish such feat if it wasn't for the supporting cast who believed in his capabilities.
While the whole world may seem to go against him, their support would push Arcadia to greater heights, overcoming whatever life throws at him.
"Life will always present us with obstacles, but if you put in the work and never give up on your dreams, the universe will always find a way for everything to fall into place."
"Life taught me to never give up."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
