TNC ARE currently trying every method to desperately get themselves back into playoff contention, which was last seen back in Season 9.
From juggling their roster, bringing in superstars, and now making a drastic shift in their coaching staff, the Phoenix are hoping that they could finally make a breakthrough in Season 14. However it seems that the flames of the Phoenix are slowly fizzling out of steam and the Phoenix could once again end up at the bottom of the standings.
But it's still a long season ahead and maybe head coach Caisam "Wolf" Nopueto and his assistant, Patrick James "E2MAX" Caidic could finally solve the crisis that has been plaguing TNC, a kind of hopeful thinking that RSG Philippines' Coach Brian "Panda" Lim instilled during an interview with the press.
Coach Panda understood the situation, as Wolf and E2MAX are dealing with a relatively new team. Back in Season 7, Coach Panda once coached a PlayBook Esports squad who tried their best to make a statement in the league.
"It's always mahirap to handle a team that's bago. Dahil it's Wolf, I strongly believe that they can continue and have a good result. I feel like TNC has a strong chance to get into the playoffs. I think it's because of Wolf and E2MAX, they have a really good coaching staff," Coach Panda reflected.
Given the early struggles of TNC, one may place Wolf in the F-tier among coaches or grade him below the passing marks of an exam, but Coach Panda's faith in him is so strong that he gave Wolf a very high grade.
"As long as the coaching staff is strong, the team will always improve, and Wolf is a very positive and professional person, kaya I will still give him a 10/10 because I believe he can work it out."
Building a masterpiece
For a head coach who just made that leap of faith from shoutcasting to coaching, Season 14 will be a baptism by fire for Wolf.
What he sees from within the broadcast desk is a totally different experience especially since Wolf has to oversee the things happening inside the bootcamp.
Coaching isn't just about watching the games and providing analysis, as it also entails a high level of man management. Egos will clash, emotions will rise, and Wolf will have to make sure that the crisis can be addressed, and things are tougher now since TNC are rock bottom.
Since Wolf is a newcomer in the scene, Coach Panda believes that it will take time for him to build a masterpiece.
"Because this is a the thing. I said before na when you make a bagong team, it's like trying to paint a masterpiece. Yung mga teams like Bren tapos TLPH, yung mga world class teams. They have their solid identity, what kind of team style or gameplay they want to make," said Panda.
He added: "Parang you're like Van Gogh and you painted the sunflower. Pero yung mga bagong teams, parang it's all over the place, like a puzzle. But as soon as you fit that puzzle where it should be, that means you're on the right track and you'll have a good result."
But this isn't a challenge that teams at the bottom are facing, as even teams with established pieces or teams that have won trophies are also prone to this dilemma.
There's always something new in every season, from the patch updates, new players entering the scene, and so on, and like Wolf, Coach Panda also needs to asses which pieces will mesh well.
"Kami rin right now, we don't know how to paint the picture yet pero we still try to put the puzzles together pa."
And he is hoping that Wolf finds his footing.
"As long as they have a good coaching staff like TNC, they will be able to find the solution and formula on how they paint the picture that they want. It's early season pa lang so kayang-kaya pa nila yan."
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