Veteran pro Billy "Z4pnu" Alfonso revealed the reason why Execration will not be participating in the upcoming MPL Philippines Season 8 which has been reported and rumored to adopt a franchise-based model.
Z4pnu bared through a YouTube vlog last Monday night, June 21, that the recently crowned Mobile Legends Southeast Asia Cup (MSC) champions and MPL-PH Season 7 runners-up will have a new team in the incoming season.
In a succeeding vlog titled "PLANO NG EXE" on Tuesday night, the charismatic PH MLBB personality said that the hectic schedule not just of the MLBB team but also the Dota 2 division hampered Execration's plan of buying a slot in the MPL-PH Season 8.
"Na-late si boss (Arvin Risos) nang bili kasi sobrang busy sa mga tournaments. Nawala sa isip. Syempre naka-focus siya sa Dota. Nasa Europe siya, 'di niya rin maasikaso," said Z4pnu, referring to Execration's recent campaign in the WePlay AniMajor--the second Dota 2 Major this year--in Kiev, Ukraine.
"Syempre kami 'di rin namin naasikaso. Nag-MSC kami... Kumbaga ubos na 'yung oras," he added.
The 23-year-old MPL veteran also claimed that only eight MPL slots were up for grabs and that Indonesian organizations were quick to get them. He added that only three Filipino esports orgs in Blacklist International, Bren Esports and TNC were able to secure slots.
"Kahit ako kaya kong bumili kung may slot pa eh. Kaso wala eh, 'di namin alam na paunahan pala, pabilisan pala bumili ng slot. 'Di kasi namin alam na hanggang walo lang 'yung teams," he rued.
"Akala namin 'pag nag-champion kami, maiiba 'yung takbo ng MPL next season like makakakuha kami ng isang slot pero 'di pumayag si Moonton. Tapos na raw 'yung bayaran, tapos na 'yung (deadline) nakuha na raw lahat ng slots at kailangan na lang namin maghintay ng next season para makabili ng slot."
While he lamented their missed chance to play in the MPL Season 8 under the same black and blue banner, Z4pnu said that #ExeShot may return in the following season.
"Ayun 'yung plano ni boss. Bibili siya ng slot sa next season."
Manila Bulletin previously tried to reach Moonton about the implementation of the franchise-based model in MPL-PH but the Shanghai-based game developer declined to comment.