HYPE GREETED the announcement that Michael "MP the King" Endino would join Burn X Flash’s MPL roster. Together with Jhonwin "Hesa" Dela Merced Vergara as well as coach Michael "Zico" Dizon, expectations were high that these Pinoy imports would turn the Cambodian team into a powerhouse.
Burn X Flash managed to secure the Cambodian trophy and their M4 berth. But big question marks still remained about Endino's status with the team... as well as his role in Filipino amateur team AP Esports.
During the finale of Dark League Studios' nationwide competition Kings League, Endino revealed to Spin.ph the reasons why he is no longer a part of the Cambodian squad.
“Yung umalis ako sa NXP, I decided na mang-i-ibang bansa ako kase sinama ako ni Zico that time. Sinabi niya na, ‘G ka ba sa MPL Cambodia, sa Burn X Flash?’ Tuloy na sana kaso nagkaroon ng problema sa DSWD, sa travel clearance ko dahil personal matters talaga,” said MP the King.
Prior to Burn X Flash news, a video from Tambay TV explained why Endino was no longer a part of Nexplay’s roster. It was revealed that the AP Esports players were loaned by the organization for its Season 9 campaign.
And now that he is back to the amateurs, Endino did hint of the possibility of returning back to the big leagues.
“Siguro may plano kasi may team na pwede akong mag-tryout sa MDL. Tapos as of now, nagtra-tryout ako sa MPL teams.”
Then when asked about AP Esports’ involvement in the MDL, given their prominence in the amateur scene, here’s what he has to say.
“Hindi ko lang masabi pero for sure, mag-MDL siguro pero not sure pa ako," said the AP Esports jungler.
Going back to the amateur scene
For MP the King, there's not a big gap that exists between professional Mobile Legends players and their counterparts in the amateur leagues.
“Para sa akin, yung amateur team at yung MPL team ngayon parang same calibre lang. Masasabi mo na halos lahat ng amateur team ngayon makakasabay sa MPL kaya yung transition para sa akin, ganun pa rin, normal na lang kase yung na-experience ko sa MPL, na-experience ko rin sa amateur scene," Endino observed.
Teams like Blacklist International struggled against Maharlika Esports during the IESF finale, while Billy "Z4pnu" Alfonso made the argument that the amateur teams in the PH are considered lethal to foreign MPL teams.
However, Endino did admit that jungling in the amateur scene is much more difficult.
“Para sa akin, mas mahirap mag-funnel sa amateur scene. Sa amateur scene kasi palagi kang nakikita, palagi kang na-e-expose. Kasi kapag sa amateur scene more on RG and scrims, tapos halos lahat ng nakakalaban mo sa RG halos puro amateur team kaya mas mahirap sa akin dito kasi mas kilala nila ako dito.”
But despite these struggles, his experience in the pro scene has helped him a lot in his journey.
“First off, yung leadership talaga [ang nabigay ng MPL sa akin]. Kasi ikaw yung may mas experience, ikaw yung mas may alam. Ikaw yung nakadating sa pro e. Ayun yung ginagamit kong advantage," he said.
"Hindi ako napre-pressure pagdating sa laro tapos dinadala ko yung kakampe ko through the things I learned sa MPL."
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