AS all eyes were on Indonesian import Sultan “Aeronnshikii” Muhammad and just how exactly he was going to perform in what has easily been the most competitive tournament in MLBB, the MPL Philippines, Team Liquid’s sixth man Kim “Daiki” Sebanes grinded quietly on the side.
Nevermind that he happens to share the same lane as the fancied import from Indonesia. Nevermind that Team Liquid has a history of champion gold laners, from the likes of Bennyqt and Oheb.
READ: Team Liquid, ONIC take impressive wins in MPL PH S17 opener
Nevermind that there’s no fanfare nor expectations from this product of Team Liquid Academy over at the MDL.
So when he was called up to start in the place of the aforementioned Aeronnshikii – with a day’s preparation and in a marquee match against newly-crowned world champions Aurora, no less – those long days of grinding on the side until his number was called had finally come.
With his dreams within reach, pressure becomes merely a state of mind. It becomes put up or shut up time, and boy he did a lot of putting up in his MPL PH Season 17 debut – claiming MVP honors in the very first game and playing like a grizzled vet in Team Liquid’s season opening win over Aurora Gaming.
“Excited talaga ako kasi gustong-gusto ko maglaro sa MPL,” Daiki told SPIN.ph in an exclusive interview.
“Pangarap din ito ng mga kapwa ko players. No pressure lang sa akin kasi nandiyan naman mga teammates ko, coaches, and management na nakasuporta sa amin.”
On the other end of the lane was Aurora’s Dominic “Domengkite” Delmundo, considered as one of the best gold laners in the world today especially after that run over the M7 World Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia.
But Daiki was unperturbed and he showed no signs of it in a masterful debut in the MPL.
“Hindi ako nai-intimidate kahit sino katapat ko. Lahat naman ‘yan pumipindot lang din sa ML. Ine-enjoy ko lang talaga,” he said.
His performance wasn’t lost on his teammates and coaches either.
Coach Wei “Aeon” Ong and multi-titled EXP laner Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya gave the rookie the nod of approval, with both in unison in saying that he belongs in the big stage.
“We were really impressed that he did better than any practice because obviously he only had one day. He looks more comfortable on the stage than the practice, which is a good surprise,” Coach Aeon said.
“Alam ko naman na magpe-perform siya and capable siya na sumabay sa mga world champs. Super happy lang ako na nakapag-debut siya nang maayos,” Sanford added.
And most certainly he’ll stay there as after an impressive performance in the SIBOL MLBB requalifiers, he was appointed as an analyst for the SIBOL MLBB men’s team in the 2026 Asian Games in September.
But that is still months away.
Daiki’s focus is on the now. And while the now remains uncertain, especially with a prized import just awaiting his clearance to play, Daiki has never lost sight of his role. Someone who fills in the gaps, waits for his chance and plays that role to perfection.
“Nag-focus lang ako sa sarili ko. ‘Yung role ng pagiging analyst, coaches na ‘yung bahala doon. Ang ginampanan ko lang ‘yung pagiging player lang talaga,” Daiki explained.
And based on his performance against the Northern Lights, fans are certainly expecting more from him now moving forward.
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