Many were surprised with the amount of poise and composure Bren Esports had displayed to pull through a stunning 3-2 reverse sweep of Omega Esports in the first round of the MPL Philippines Season 10 playoffs on Thursday.
But not its head coach Francis “Duckeyy” Glindro.
The M2 champion coach was the least shocked that his young Bren team had the maturity and mental fortitude to battle back from a 0-2 series deficit and eventually win the series. A main five composed of relatively rookies and sophomore players aside from captain Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel, Duckeyy said his players have the right attitude to perform well in such pressure-packed situations.
“These kids are really persistent when it comes to the game which is really why they are very open minded when it comes to the criticisms in training,” said Duckeyy during the team post-game press conference.
“They absorb most of the things. There will be recommendations but there will be arguments as well but we always meet in the middle kung ano yung comfort nila,” he added.
True enough, asked for just one victory in his retribution battle against Smart Omega’s Christian “Raizen” Sumagui, Michael “Kyletzy” Sayson stepped up in the last three games and helped Bren Esport complete the reversal.
Bren players, almost all of them relatively new to the MPL playoff atmosphere, had to overcome some jitters in the first two games. The veteran player and the leader that he is, Pheww rose to the occasion and broke the ice in Game 3 with Bren’s first series win to settle down his young teammates. He then followed it up with impressive midlane Gusion in Game 4 and a Pharsa pick in the winner-take-all.
“Nung time na na 0-2 kami sinabi ko lang na may chance pa rin kami huwag lang kami sumuko kasi dun naman kami malakas sa reverse sweep,” said Pheww while also explaining that his belief to his teammates never wavered despite trailing in the series.
“Matagal na rin sila talaga nag ML di ko rin masasabi na baguhan sila. Matagal na rin sila na naglalaro kay di ko naisip na baka nawawalan na sila ng moral nagtiwala lang kami sa isa't-isa.”