THE PHILIPPINES IS clearly the most dominant region in the Mobile Legends esports scene as not only have they produced a dynasty in the world championship stage, but they've also exported the most talented players who have changed the fortunes of teams.
We can look back at the previous MSC titles won by Onic Indonesia and Malaysia's Selangor Red Giants, two teams that were blessed with the talent pool from the Philippines.
And now in the world championship stage, that talent has expounded around the world. Being able to play for a different team abroad has its own benefits as it could open more opportunities for Filipinos to showcase their skills, develop the scene elsewhere, and eventually look for other ways to compete in international tournaments, outside the overly stacked MPL Philippines.
But it also has its own disadvantages. Playing on foreign soil may also hinder a player's potential which was evident when Kenneth "Nets" Barro played in MPL Malaysia. He started his career with HomeBois and now he is playing for Team Vamos in the M6 World Championship stage.
Nets wants to go back home
Recently, Vamos got ousted by one of the dark horse contenders, Team Spirit, and Nets admitted that he wasn't able to fully harness his prowess.
"Hindi ko talaga nalalabas yung laro ko dito, parang kulang pa e. Parang meron pa talaga akong mailalabas pa kung makakasama ko yung sobrang fit ako e. Sa tingin ko, madami pang kulang na hindi ko pa alam. Gusto kong mag-explore sa ibang team," he revealed in an interview with the media.
If there's one destination that comes to his mind, Nets wants to go back home.
“Para sa akin, hindi ko pa alam. Sana kung magka-team ulit ako, PH ako kasi gusto ko mag-PH e," narrated Nets.
Nets last played in the MPL Philippines back in Season 12 with Onic PH, before being replaced by Duane "Kelra" Pillas.
Then when asked about his preferred team, Nets said: “Hindi ko masasagot kasi ang dami pang magpapa-tryout e. Sana yung fit ako and sana meron kasi hindi ko pa alam kung magkaka-team ako sa PH e.”
Taking your talent abroad is one way of stepping out of the comfort zone, but returning to the home land that shaped you might release the beast that was always within you.
Finding the right team
But besides failing to bring his game to the next level, Nets likewise highlighted the other flaws from Vamos' M6 journey. Given the new Swiss format which transitions to a best-of-three to five series, things were challenging for the Malaysian squad.
“Yung mag-adapt sa best-of-five kasi doon talaga yung unang namin naging struggle e. Hindi kami nag-adapt sa best-of-five parang sobrang pressured kami kasi muntikan kaming malaglag sa Swiss stage," recounted Nets.
Then when it came to match preparations, the gold laner believed that this was lacking with Vamos.
“Disiplina siguro tapos magpraktis pa nang maigi kasi siguro para sa akin nagkulang kami sa preparations sa kalaban, kasi hindi kami nagpre-prepare kapag may nakakalaban kaming ibang team e. Naka-focus kami sa gameplay namin."
Nets' journey highlighted some of the struggles that Filipino players will endure once they play overseas and given his experience, he gave an important insight to those who struggle in their path.
“Suggest ko sa mga hindi nakakapag-playoffs nang maayos, yung hindi masyadong fit sa team, kung sa tingin niyo hindi kayo fit sa team, siguro mag-explore kayo ng ibang team. Basta mag-explore kayo ng iba’t ibang team kapag hindi kayo fit kase malay mo hindi naman magandang nangyari sa career mo so mag-try ka sa iba.”
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