Yawi on Dogie: 'Sobrang laki ng utang na loob ko sa kanya'

TNC PRO TEAM went unstoppable for their second straight win after pulling off a decisive sweep against Smart Omega in the second week action of the MPL Philippines Season 15 at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati City.

Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera delivered a masterclass on Selena, earning the MVP citation in game one and claiming the assassin-mage hero’s first victory of the season in style.

Above everything else, every milestone achieved this season is a tribute from Yawi to the man who always believed in him, Setsuna "Akosi Dogie" Ignacio.

Unaware of what lay ahead, Yawi took his first steps as a pro with Nexplay in MPL PH Season 6, a decision that paved the way for new opportunities and meeting people that would change his life forever.

“Unang kuha niya pa lang sa akin, bukod sa gusto kong bumawi since nabangko ako last season. Dinede-dedicate ko po talaga yung game ko kay Boss D po talaga bukod sa family ko, sa sarili ko, bukod sa fans ko rin. Sobrang laki ng utang na loob ko sa kaniya,” Yawi said in an exclusive interview with SPIN.ph.

PHOTO: MPL Philippines, MOONTON Games

Dogie's last dance?

Meanwhile, Yawi made sure to give his best in every chance he got as he hinted at Dogie's possible retirement in the near future due to life priorities.

“Feel ko po kasi malapit na siya umalis sa esports eh. Kaya yun po nafe-feel ko. Syempre tumatanda na si Boss D at may priorities po siyang iba,” Yawi expressed.

Yawi’s infectious energy keeps things lively, but once the game starts, he switches gears, maintaining professionalism and clear work boundaries with Dogie.

“Si Boss D po kasi iba mindset niya, lalo na po pag nasa game kami. Pag-scrim na po, trabaho lang. Iwas po muna talaga kulit. Pagtapos po ng scrim, tambay po sa salas, doon po tropa tropa kami lahat. Pero pag pasok po namin ng game room, trabaho po talaga kami,” Yawi explained.

“Balanse na rin po namin yung oras kung kailan makipagbiruan kay Boss D," he added.

Yawi pays big respect to Dogie, and he even listens to his advice to keep his feet on the ground whenever the odds favor TNC Pro Team.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin po grind namin. Actually before po kami mag-start this season, parang pinayuhan na po kami ni Boss D, pati ng mga coaches, management, na 'wag lalaki ulo if ever manalo tapos kapag natalo, reset lang, move on,” Yawi said.

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