NOTHING COMPARES to the feeling of coming home to witness greatness unfold in the hub of the world’s greatest esports teams, and Selangor Red Giants OG Esports’ coach Michael “Arcadia” Bocado made sure to include visiting the MPL Philippines in his itinerary during his brief break in the country last weekend.
What brings Coach Arcadia to the Philippines?
The veteran coach turned out to be taking a short breather after working tirelessly getting Selangor Red Giants OG Esports ready for MPL Malaysia Season 15 since January, hoping to defend their Mid Season Cup (MSC) championship title in July 2025.
“As the defending champion, gusto namin na makapasok ulit as a champion to the MSC. So yun yung pinaghahandaan namin since January pa talaga na makapasok sa MSC,” coach Arcadia said.
“Pagdating sa preparation, sa tingin ko medyo nasa magandang lagay. Kasi gaya noong last MSC run namin, noong time kasi na yun, maaga kami nag-start ng training; like, start of January pa lang nag-train na kami."
"So hopefully ma-replicate namin yung success na nakuha namin that time kasi since almost the same naman yung preparation namin and medyo confident kami sa mga nangyayari sa training,” he added, expressing confidence in SRG’s preparation.
The M6 World Championship saw Selangor Red Giants OG Esports' golden road dream shattered when Team Liquid Indonesia secured a decisive sweep in the lower bracket finals.
The redemption begins
For the Selangor Red Giants OG Esports, this year’s edition of MSC is more than just a title defense—it’s a defining moment of reclaiming glory on the international stage.
“Very happy kami nung nangyari sa MSC run, yung undefeated run. I think we're very blessed that time. Going to the M6, unfortunately, we were not able to replicate that and hindi ganun yung performance na gusto sana namin dalhin sa international stage."
"This time going to MSC, ito na siguro yung parang redemption stage namin na mabalik yung form namin last MSC,” coach Arcadia expressed, setting his sights on regaining SRG’s prime form.
“That's why we started very early with our training. Hopefully makuha namin yung form na gusto namin. So far, we're very happy naman with our training,” he added.
The Esports World Cup x MSC 2025 Main Stage will see 16 teams from around the world, with two slots allocated to Malaysia—setting a brutal qualification race for Malaysian teams vying for MSC, as coach Arcadia sees it.
“I think having two slots sa MSC, very motivational to the MPL Malaysian teams kasi everyone would want to get [those] two slots. Given the two slots, I think they will be more motivated, all of the teams in MY to at least get a slot to MSC.
"Kasi lahat gusto talaga makapunta ng MSC. Given the really big prize pool, everyone is really fighting for that slot,” coach Arcadia explained.
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