Nexplay EVOS is now ready to rise from the ashes after uncovering its new-look roster for the long-awaited MPL Philippines Season 8 on Wednesday night, July 14.
NXP EVOS retained its "Big Three" of Renejay "RENEJAY" Barcarse, John Paul "H2wo" Salonga and Tristan "Yawi" Cabrera along with James "Jeymz" Gloria.
The fan-favorite squad previously announced the return of MPL veteran and SEA Games gold medalist Jeniel "Haze" Bata-anon to the Aether house following his release from Smart Omega.
PH Mobile Legends personality Setsuna "Dogie" Ignacio was included in the player lineup as a support this time after serving as coach in the past two seasons, with John Michael "Zico" Dizon promoted as head coach for the upcoming season.
Completing the roster are NXP household names Sanford "Sanford" Vinuya and Jhonwin "Hesa" Vergara, both former top global players with Benedetta and Harith, respectively.
The team previously released Dexter "Exort" Martinez and replaced sixth man Lance "LanceCy" Cunanan.
"The lineup was thoroughly discussed together with Nexplay coach Zico and Akosi Dogie. We believe the lineup we chose is ready for the incoming challenges," said NXP co-owner and head of business development and partnership Adrian Rob Son in a message to Manila Bulletin.
"It's been a long couple of months scouting and probing players we can buy out from various organizations, but we decided to hone the players we have and create a new breed of super rookie players under the Nexplay EVOS banner."
The organization entered the MPL-PH in Season 6 as Nexplay Solid, finishing at the 5th-8th spot which proved enough for the rookies to keep their spot in the league.
NXP took in Jeymz and Exort in place of Chester "Chester" Gonzales and Michal Bien "Mb" Esquillo for Season 7.
The team had some flashes of brilliance in the group stage but still wound up at the 7th-8th place, suffering a 3-1 defeat to newcomer Work Auster Force in the lower bracket first round.