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'It's a yes!': Benthings, Coach Panda biggest winners in MPL PH S9 Grand Finals

Sports

'It's a yes!': Benthings, Coach Panda biggest winners in MPL PH S9 Grand Finals

By Reynald I. Magallon

The final playdate of the MPL Philippines Season 9 was not just about winning the title and claiming the glory but also about winning the hearts of their significant others under the bright lights of the MPL stage.

Coach Panda and girlfriend Jennifer (left); Benthings and girlfriend Dayen (Photo from MPL Philippines)

Two amiable MPL personalities did just that on Sunday night as they finally got down on one knee, popped the question and secured the "Yes" in front of a cheerful crowd at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay.

First it was TNC roamer Ben “Benthings” Maglaque who proposed to his longtime girlfriend Dayen Bello just before the start of the Grand Finals between Omega Esports and RSG Philippines.

Benthings had actually hinted about his plans on finally asking the big question in MPL Philippines playoff promotional video, saying that he wants to take the championship so that he can finally propose to his long-time partner.

He may have fell short of that title goal after TNC finished third place in the tournament, but nonetheless gathered enough courage and took the center stage to finally ask his girlfriend of almost nine years to spend her life with him.

“Ikaw ang trophy ko. May tanong sana ako, gusto mo ba akong Samahan hanggang sa pagtanda natin?,” asked Benthings.

If that’s not enough, another proposal also happened just right after RSG Philippines hoisted the MPL Season 9 trophy. Its coach, Brian “Panda” Lim, asked the hand of his girlfriend Jennifer Riguer in front of the whole MPL crowd.

“I’ve been waiting to do this for three years. Jennifer Rigue, please come up to the stage please,” said Panda. “Si Benthings did it first, but this is my own version. Thank you for always being my inspiration for three years. I love you so much.”

Rigue just had a sweet but short reply: “Ikaw si Coach Panda, Best Coach! It’s a yes!”

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