From Dream High to UAAP, how Coach Link ended up with RSG

RSG PHILIPPINES has returned to the winning column, halting their two-game skid after mounting a reserve sweep against TNC Pro Team in the MPL Philippines Season 14 fifth week Sunday action at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati City.

Fresh off the inaugural UAAP Esports 2024, former UP Fighting Maroons MLBB head coach Jaycee Cariaga "Link" Nieles heeded the call from RSG Philippines.

In the short period that Jaycee Cariaga "Link" Nieles has served as assistant coach for RSG Philippines, he stepped up to the plate and immediately recognized the points for improvement.

“Actually, nag-work around lang talaga sa mga napag-usapan namin from the previous weeks na reflection namin about sa communication nga kasi kasi yun yung isa sa mga pinaka-vital aspects para mas ma-execute ng team yung plano,” coach Link said, underscoring the importance of communication in carrying out the plans they prepared.

“Then, ayun talagang fini-fix talaga namin yung mga chemistry talaga. So we're trying to build the connection na gusto namin ma-establish talaga. Para mas maging solid yung run,” he added, committed to reinforcing the synergy of RSG Philippines.

RSG Philippines went through some roster changes this season after the farewell of Nathanael “Nathzz” Estrologo and the transfer of “Jonard “Demonkite” Caranto to Aurora Gaming. Head coach Brian “Panda” Lim acknowledged that roster changes might have impeded RSG’s climb to the top.

“Because having one player change the roster can be okay if the four players already have a perfect harmony in terms of communication. But having three players become a different roster, it's just a different team na. And then they need to get time to recognize yung boses isa-isa,” he said.

Behind closed doors, coach Link dedicates extra hours to strategizing their gameplay and fostering greater discipline, earning the respect of the players.

“Sa pinapakita ni coach sa discipline, medyo malaking helpful po sa amin si coach. Maraming po siyang nabibigay na tulong sa amin. Compared dati na parang wala pong discipline mga player. Ngayon po kasi, parang mas disiplinado na kami sa focus po,” Arvie “Aqua” Calderon said, pointing out the improvement of the team in terms of discipline.

“Ayun, may katulong si coach Panda, especially kasi si coach gusto niya mag-trabaho hanggang late na. So may nakakasabay na siya,” RSG’s team captain Dylan “Light” Catipon added.

The Road to MPL

Taking a trip down memory lane, Coach Link revealed how he nearly stepped away from competitive gaming to focus on his education, but the pandemic changed the trajectory of his life to coaching.

“Nag-start yun lahat nung pandemic. Nung 2019 kasi, nung nag-quit ako sa Dream High. Kasi nag-enroll ako ng college sa PUP. So kailangan ko mag-focus talaga sa aral kasi accountancy yung course ko eh. So kailangan ko talaga invest yung time ko sa pag-aaral. Then, nung pandemic siyempre bahay bahay lang, na-expose ulit sa mga laro-laro,” he said in an exclusive interview.

Never hesitating to take a leap of faith, Coach Link seized every opportunity, whether in collegiate tournaments, joining professional teams, or being involved in GrindSky Eris' preparations for the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

PHOTO: Jaycee Cariaga Nieles

“Nagkaroon nung mga collegiate tournaments. Sabi ko, sige sali nga kasi. Buo tayo ng team.

Tapos, nagkaroon ng opening. Yung nga, nag-hanap ng team yung sa GrindSky [Eris]. Isugal ko na ‘to. Mahilig kasi akong mag-pursue ng mga opportunities. Para lang matuto ako. So, triny ko lang yun kahit wala pa talaga akong experience,” he expressed.

Coach Link was once part of the Dream High team, sharing the same humble beginnings with Gerald “Dlar” Trinchera of Blacklist International, John Paul “H2wo” Salonga, MPL Philippines “Hall of Legends” inductees Danerie James “Wise” Del Rosario and Johnmar “OHMyV33NUS” Villaluna.

PHOTO: Dream High Gaming

“Masaya ako na nasa MPL kasi yun yung pangarap namin lahat sa Dream High,” he expressed, looking back on the dreams they had finally come true.

Coach Link led the UP Fighting Maroons in the inaugural UAAP Esports 2024, paving the way for RSG Philippines to discover his talent.

“Actually, nung nasa UAAP kasi, chinat ako ni Madam Lexie. Sabi niya, “Coach, ready ka ba?” Sabi ko nasa UP pa ako madam. Pero pwede akong mag-tryout pag tapos na UAAP namin? Pag wala na akong commitments? Para hindi magkaroon ng problem sa schedule tsaka conflict of interest,” coach Link recalled, taking matters into account before accepting the offer of RSG.

Stepping into the MPL Philippines arena, where greater competitors await, coach Link feels no pressure weighing on his shoulders.

“Wala. Kumbaga sabi ko, “Kung kaya ko naman, edi kaya ko. Kapag hindi, mayroon akong learnings, “Anong kulang sa akin? Ano yung kailangan ko i-work on? Para next time kapag may nag refer na ulit sa akin na mga teams, may nag invite, alam ko na yung dapat kong dala-dala,” coach Link expressed, maintaining a positive outlook regardless of what the future holds.

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.