Eyeing to reclaim the MPL Philippines crown, Aura Philippines tapped former Smart Omega coach Steven "Dale" Vitug as its strategic coach for Season 7 which will fire off on March 19.
Aura PH made the surprising reveal through a video that also showed its full roster for the upcoming season of Moonton's professional league for its mobile MOBA game.
"Just when you thought you've seen everything, you're wrong. We had someone to join us at the very last minute. We're hyped to announce that Coach Dale is now a part of our team," the team said in the caption.
"This is going to be an epic season."
Dale steered Omega to a runner-up finish behind Bren Esports in the MPL PH Season 6 before leading the team to the playoffs of the M2 Mobile Legends World Championship last month.
He also served as a coach for the national esports team Sibol that pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory over Indonesia for the gold medal in the 2019 SEA Games.
Working hand-in-hand with head coach Michael Angelo "Arcadia" Bocado, Dale is expected to help Aura regain its lost glory.
Aura, an Indonesia-based esports organization, acquired the Seasons 4 and 5 champion team Sunsparks last year. ?
However, the team bowed out right in the first round of the Season 6 playoffs after getting swept by fierce rival Onic PH.
Aura will still have its back-to-back championship core of Chan "Rafflesia" Fajura and Jaypee "Jaypee" Dela Cruz along with Season 5 winning squad members Ashley "Killuash" Cruz and Allen "Greed" Baloy.
Completing the lineup are Jaymark "Hadess" Lazaro (from Cignal Ultra) and Benedict "Bennyqt" Gonzales (from Execration), who replaced Kiel VJ "Kielvj" Hernandez and Renz "Renzio" Cadua (both moved to Execration).
Aura will slug it out against reigning king Bren, Omega, Execration, Onic, Blacklist International, Nexplay Solid, Cignal Ultra and league newcomers Work Auster Force and Laus Playbook Esports for the MPL Season 7 supremacy.