Ducky's Diligence: The forging of a true coach
Francis Glindro, aka Coach Ducky, was a young kid playing in his Lola’s house one summer in Alabat Island. It was a dry, sunny afternoon and fresh, crisp linen hung outside. Tired and hungry from playing outside, the 10-year-old Glindro smelled the waft of his favorite dish cooking from inside the house. His Lola was preparing pata.
“Puwede na po bang kumain?”
Glindro asked his Lola repeatedly.
His Lola graciously responded with a lesson Glindro would carry up to this day.
“Apo, kailangan mong magkaroon ng pasensiya sa buhay. Hindi mo makukuha lahat ng bagay sa isang iglap. Tulad nitong pata. Matagal lutuin, pero hindi magiging masarap kung mamadaliin.”
Those words became a core memory for the young impatient boy, who has since treasured that lesson on instant gratification.
Today, Glindro remembers those words whenever he finds himself in a tough ditch or a dry spell whether in life or esports.
In this story, Coach Francis “Ducky” Glindro of BREN Esports shares the story of his life before he came into esports.
Coach Ducky is a registered nurse who wants to be a doctor.
“I’m a Nursing graduate sa probinsya, sa Sacred Heart College in Quezon. I’m actually a registered nurse,” Glindro told SPIN.ph.
“Frustrated doctor talaga ako, I really wanted to be a doctor in college. Unfortunately, wala kaming funds for it. I was really disappointed back then kasi I took an entrance exam for Biology sa UST. That was my first choice, second was Accountancy in UST. I passed both. Excited na akong pumasok noon, makakapag pre-med course na ako sa UST. My sister was going to cover my tuition fees.”
But after a few weeks, she called. ‘Hindi pala kita mapapag-aral kasi sobrang mahal.”
According to Glindro, his sister just arrived back then in Canada but her expected income was not enough at that time and they could not afford to send Glindro to UST—the most prestigious university when it comes to Medicine.
“I was really disappointed. Nasa probinsya rin naman ako at okay rin naman na pre-Med course yung Nursing. I barely liked Nursing initially, but eventually, I learned to love it.”
“Alam mo, hindi ko pa ulit na-rerenew yung lisensya ko, I’ve never had a chance, but I’m planning to refresh my Didactic trainings para kahit anong mangyari, nurse pa rin ako, in case mawala ang esports.
Although Glindro is a registered nurse, he did not pursue a career in that field. Five days after taking the Nursing board exams, he went to Manila to find work.
“At that time kasi, hospitals, particularly private hospitals, only paid nurses P6,000 to P8,000 per month. Sobrang baba nun! That was the time na talagang may mga nagra-rally na nurses about pay increases. So, sobrang hirap maging nurse noond ito sa Pilipinas.”
So instead of pursuing a career in nursing in the Philippines, Glindro decided to apply for a corporate job.
Coach Ducky excelled in his corporate jobs
“Nag call center ako para makapag-ipon ng pera, thinking that I would use that savings to eventually get into medical school,” said Glindro.
“I thought wrong!”
Glindro admits he was not able to save money because he kept spending his salary to enjoy himself.
“My ambition in life is really to be a doctor. Up to this time, it still runs in my head. Even my girlfriend is still pushing me to become a doctor, she keeps telling me that I can do it and that she believes I’d be a great doctor.”
After working in the call center for a while, Glindro was recruited by his friend to work at an accounting firm. “I wanted to challenge myself, so I applied for work at an accounting firm. I took an exam, it was like so difficult, it had 500 items.”
Glindro passed the comprehensive exams, and the accounting firm hired him. In that job, Glindro would be promoted several times to a senior management position with a high salary. He would stay in that job for seven years.
“For some reason, they hired me kahit wala akong background sa finance. Luckily, natanggap ako at doon nagsimula yung corporate career ko. I climb the ladder pretty quickly, it was a decent-paying job, honestly.”
‘Sa U-Belt, doon ako nangunguha ng pera kasi nakikipagpustahan ako.’
It was during that time working in Manila that Glindro got addicted to DoTA. After work, he would go to computer shops all the way in the U-Belt. Little did his opponents know that Glindro was highly adept in MOBA.
“When I started working in Manila, DotA ako nang DotA. Nagpupunta pa ako sa U-Belt, doon ako nangunguha ng pera kasi nakikipagpustahan ako. Walang may kilala sa akin doon eh!”
Glindro made money out of bets by beating other players in computer shops around universities in Manila. But eventually, Glindro got tired of going back and forth from work to the computer shop just to play DotA, so he looked for a similar game that he can play at home. That’s when he found Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
“Nakakaumay going to that computer shop, ang layo kasi tapos uuwi pa ako. So I said, baka naman mayroong game sa cellphone na parang DotA. Doon ko nakita yung MLBB.”
Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and Glindro, with his newfound love for Mobile Legends, slowly became addicted to the game. For him, nightly matches were no longer just leisure but competitive play.
“Medyo nagiging competitive na yung game eh, so sabi ko, bakit hindi ako mag-try sa tournaments?” Glindro told SPIN. He became associated with Digital Devils, and became good friends with its former players such as Pheww, Dee, Tets, and Blufzy, who would become the coach of Cignal Ultra before transfering to Onic.
Digital Devils was one of the pioneering professional esports teams in the Philippines. It was also here where ECHO’s country manager, Mitch Liwanag, started her career in esports as a team manager.
“Naging teammate ko nga rin si Coach Arcadia,” Glindro reveals. “Tapos si Archie nakakalaro ko na rin iyan dati pa!” adds Glindro, referring to ECHO’s Coach Archie “TicTac” Reyes.
Glindro was among the guests present during ECHO’s M4 victory party with VIPs. He was the only other MPL coach who attended the event.
ALSO READ:
Mitch Liwanag: From Hotel Staff to Badass Boss of ECHO
Gab Manalo, the first deaf streamer-gamer in the Philippines
Coach Ducky left a high-paying job for an uncertain career in esports.
Glindro was already a senior manager at an accounting firm when he suddenly decided to leave that job and fly abroad for a coaching career he has no experience doing.
“When I was working and playing on the side, one of Glindro’s closest friends messaged him, saying there was an opening in Indonesia for a coaching job in an esports organization.”
But the flight was in three days.
“I had no time to tender a resignation! In my job back then, if I’m not mistaken, there’s a 60-day notice if you have to resign. Otherwise, I would be forced to an immediate resignation.”
Within three days, Glindro packed his things and arranged all the necessary requirements for a proper turnover of accounts and responsibilities. There were tasks that only he knew how to do, so he had to teach someone to do them. “I accomplished all the knowledge transfer kits and delivered all the KPIs,” said Glindro, ensuring his transition was seamless.
“Wala nang nagawa yung boss ko noon,” says Glindro. “Hindi ko sinabi sa kanya na mag-eesports ako. Actually hindi ko sinabi kahit kanino, even sa family ko, sa mom ko. Ako lang ang may alam. And then in three days, nandoon na ako sa Indonesia!”
Coach Ducky was instrumental in EVOS Legends’ World Championship
Coach Ducky started as a coach in 2018 in REVO Esports in Indonesia, another esports team under EVOS management. It was his first official job in the esports industry.
“Hindi ko sila na-coach properly because number one, I didn’t know how to coach!” said Glindro. “I learned along the way, though. Number two, I was called in to coach in the middle of their qualifiers. They only had three days to prepare.”
Nevertheless, Glindro was able to work with some of Indonesia’s most popular players and streamers such as Eiduart “Eiduart” Tjahyadikarta, Yurino “Donkey” Angkawidjaja. In 2019, REVO was dissolved and its roster was merged with EVOS Legends, which was then the top team in Indonesia.
Glindro was given the reins to manage EVOS Legends. The very first roster that Glindro managed in esports included Muhammad “Wannn” Ridwan, Eiduart “Eiduart” Tjahyadikarta, Yurino “Donkey” Angkawidjaja, Ihsan “Luminaire” Kusudana.
“When I first saw them play together, I was awed by their chemistry, and I knew they would become champions,” Glindro told SPIN. They dominated the MPL Indonesia Season 1, placing first runner-up against Team NXL. With the help of Glindro, EVOS Legends became the first world champion in the inaugural M-Series World Championship.
"After the world series, medyo nakaramdam na ako ng homesickness. You need to understand that I was the only Filipino there. Wala akong kasama noon, unlike this time in the case of our imports, may mga kasama silang mga Pilipino abroad. In my case, wala akong kasamang Pilipino. I’m not saying it as an excuse but homesickness is a very difficult struggle. Kapag nami-miss mo yung mga pagkain, yung buhay, doon ka na magsisimulang mag-isip. So sabi ko, gusto ko nang umuwi sa Pilipinas."
Even Glindro’s colleagues in Indonesia noticed how lethargic he’s become, so they allowed him to leave. At that time, Glindro has already gained repute in Philippine esports.
“I just landed in the airport in Manila and Ralph Andrei “Leathergoods” Llabres started messaging me, telling me they’re building a new team that’s supposedly strong. He asked me if I could coach them.”
But Glindro wanted to spend time with his family first and get some rest from esports.
Pheww to Coach Ducky: ‘Kaya mo bang i-handle si KarlTzy?’
“Then si Pheww, nag-message din sa akin, ako na lang daw mag coach sa BREN. Hindi ako tinigilan ni Pheww! Kinulit ako nang kinulit ni Pheww.”
“Andito ako sa BREN, kasama ko si Karl. Kaya mo bang i-handle si Karl?” Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel told Glindro. Pheww was referring to Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno.
Glindro laughs as he recalled this piece of memory.
“Oo, kaya kong i-handle iyan!” he said. “Bata iyan eh, kaya ko!”
“Oh boy was I wrong!” said Glindro while laughing. “Sobrang tigas ng ulo ni Karl, laughtrip. He was young, he was 16. Ang hirap niyang gisingin, laging late, hindi kaya gumising!”
All it took for Coach Ducky to join BREN was an induction cooker pan.
“Yung kuwento before kung bakit ako nag-sign sa BREN esports was because of an induction cooker kawali, totoo iyon!” Glindro tells SPIN.
“Nagda-diet kasi ako noon, gusto kong pumayat ulit. So sabi ko kay Ralph bago ko tinanggap yung coaching job, ‘Mayroon bang lutuan diyan?’ at sabi niya sa akin, ‘Gusto mo ba ng induction cooker saka kawali? Bibilhan na lang kita.’
Glindro’s reply: “Sige! Oo, magsa-sign na ako sa BREN!”
“Ayun. Binigyan nga niya ako. Pagadting ko doon sa dormitory namin, nandoon na yung kawali saka yung induction cooker ko. I was happy.”
And the rest was history. From that point on, Coach Ducky has remained BREN’s coach for Mobile Legends.
Breaking the ‘Champion’s Curse’
One of the myths propagated by MPL fans is that whoever wins the M-series championship never gets to win again. This was the case for EVOS Legends, the first team that won the First Mobile Legends World Championship or M1.
Coach Ducky had very high expectations to meet, especially after leading EVOS to M1 championship, and then BREN to M2 championship.
But trophies became elusive for BREN, and the “Curse of the Championship” lingered over the Hive for six more seasons.
“When I was in EVOS Legends, we were winning. During the M-Series World Championship with BREN, we were winning. Tapos, biglang naging mahirap yung trabaho. Sobrang hirap,” said Glindro.
“It was a tough slump to climb out of. To be honest, I was still learning at that time. I didn’t really know how to coach. I wasn’t a coach, to begin with. I was a 9-to-6 guy in the office. I had no idea how to approach losing. Ano bang kailangan kong gawin?” Glindro reflects.
As a person who loves to study, Glindro turned to books. He read as much as he can about life coaching, how to manage people, and overall how to be an effective leader. Day and night, he buried himself in study and picked pieces of advice from the books he read.
“Maraming mga konsepto doon na tinaggap ko. Parang pumipitas ako ng mga prutas na gusto ko. I picked up pieces that I thought would help me become a better coach. During that slump, I tried to understand the mentality of being a player. Doon kasi ako nagkulang.”
During his talks with the players, Glindro realized something crucial: The boys were not really close friends and treated each other as colleagues.
“They had been keeping things they could not say to their teammates. So we had an open forum. After that, for some reason, the team worked well again, gumana ulit yung chemistry nila.”
That’s the point Glindro realized that coaching is not really about the game. He realized that winning tournaments not only depends on crafting plays and strategies, but strengthening the bond between the players, implementing routines, and instilling self-discipline among the players.
“I reassessed the situation, I reassessed what esports coaching really is. Coaching about the game is 10 to 15 percent of what coaching really is. There are a lot of things happening outside the game that can really affect how the game is won,” said Glindro. “Kailangan maayos muna yung buhay mo before you can actually perform.”
One of the most important factors that affect the players is their family. Glindro also ensures that the players have time for their families, saying family support is crucial in the mental health and development of the young players.
“Another big factor in having a successful esports team is a really great support system,” Glindro told SPIN.ph. “Not just from the esports org, but also from the family. Players need interaction and support from their family.”
But another factor is lifestyle and discipline.
“Nasa lifestyle. Kung hindi maayos ang lifestyle mo, if you don’t know how to fold your own blankets and such, kung hindi ka disiplinado, that would definitely reflect on your play.”
And that’s among the things that Glindro puts into a routine for the players: Make your beds, wake up early, exercise, eat healthfully, and bond with the team outside the game.
According to Glindro, it’s very different coaching an esports team because most of the time, you’re taking care of underage teens who are out of school and were entrusted to the team by their parents.
“Sinong magtuturo sa kanila ng magandang asal? They don’t have their parents and family with them. Coaches have to take that responsibility and that’s one of the biggest things in having a successful esports team.”
Glindro never expected that more than the players’ growth, he, too, would grow in esports.
And he goes back to what his Lola told him when he was 10.
“You have to be very patient in life and with people. You cannot get everything in an instant. There is no such thing as instant gratification. And kids these days also have to learn that. There are things that you really have to work hard for before you succeed.”
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.
NPC Seal of Registration
Spin.ph has been granted the NPC Seal of Registration in recognition of the successful registration of its DPO and DPS