YOUR PVL idols are also diehard MLBB fans, just ask Cherry Tiggo Crossovers volleyball player Aby Marano.
Tsang Aby alongside her teammates would spend their free time playing Mobile Legends and recently they visited the MPL PH S15 playoffs to show their support for the game, but most importantly the icons who established their legacy that have inspired millions.
"I support Aurora a lot especially my friend Renejay tsaka si V33Wise, follower nila ako before. I always ask kung may game sila because I really wanted to see them," revealed Tsang Aby in an exclusive with SPIN.ph.
Why V33Wise?
As someone who stepped her foot into the game, Tsang Aby needed to learn the ropes and like many other aspirants in the scene, it was Johnmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna who served as an inspiration.
To further elevate her craft, Tsang Aby studied one of the best shotcallers in the scene.
"Noong nagsta-start ako sa Mobile Legends, I really tried to imitate yung ginagawa niya (OhMyV33nus), parang siya yung player na chine-check ko sa YouTube kung papaano siya maglaro tapos tina-try ko i-apply sa akin kapag naglalaro ako."
But she's not alone in playing the game. Similar to OhMyV33nus, Tsang Aby has a tandem that she could always count on and like her royal counterpart, her competitive instincts would suddenly erupt.
"Syempre tandem sila ni Wise, super na-inspire ako kasi meron akong partner ngayon na naglalaro ng ML, tsaka maganda pa yung tandem nilang dalawa because they really work together. For me it's very important that your partner works with you as well lalo na kapag Mobile Legends kasi very competitive talaga ako. Kapag nagkakamali siya, naiinis ako (laughs)."
The pride of the Philippines
But it's not just Aurora who serves as a driving force for Tsang Aby's competitive nature as she has learned a lot from the storylines of teams and players.
With Onic Philippines carrying the Philippine flag in the M6 World Championship, there was a sense of nationalism, something that Aby could relate to.
"Just recently when I realized na itong Onic pala is one of the top teams so na-inspire din ako how this team really does so well and their chemistry as a team. Plus the fact that they represent the Philippines, it's relatable to me kasi I played for the national team for seven years. Super support ako sa kanila, silent supporter ako kahit papaano."
And among the players from Onic, there were two who stood out. As Aby pointed out to SPIN: "I look up to Kelra and si K1NGKONG, sila yung top gunners."
Then when looking at the personalities of these MPL pros and how they contend with the struggles of being under the spotlight, it seems there are similarities with traditional sports.
"Ang lakas ng loob ng characters ng mga players. To be able to carry a team, tsaka yung leadership nandun, it's really important because when you carry a team, kasama doon yung leadership, yung pag-o-organize ng team, kung well orchestrated talaga yung team nila," Marano started.
She added: "When you see them play nakikita mo yung pag-o-orchestrate ng team. Kumabaga sa volleyball ang term namin is maganda yung tono ng lahat, pare-parehas, sabay-sabay."
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