RSG Philippines head coach Bryan “Panda” Lim insisted that the job is not over just by finishing the regular season atop the standings and securing the upper bracket spot in the playoffs.
Coach Panda was glad that RSG was able to achieve the feat and exceeded everyone’s expectations but he and his wards are still keeping their eyes on the bigger prize now that they put themselves in a good position when the playoffs begins.
The amiable coach also relished the feeling of being at the top once again especially after being out of the MPL for quite some time before returning to a forgettable stint with Laus Playbook Esports.
“Gusto ko maiyak ngayon but the job is not finished yet,” said Panda “The last time I was in the top 1, nasa Arkangel ako nung Season 3 and after that season 4 laglag.”
“Season 5 and 6 wala ako sa MPL and then Season 7 with LPE, me, Beemo and Ryota in the same team and we got laglag after that. Season 8, malungkot we got to playoffs but laglag agad so Top 6,” he recalled.
“Ngayon it really feels very weird but also happy in the same way. Sobrang meaningful especially we exceeded everyone’s expectations,” he added.
Meanwhile, regular season MVP Dylan “Light” Catipon shared the same feeling with his coach. Though he was glad to finish atop the standings after the eliminations, the goal for them is to win the title.
He is also eager to give his own redemption arc a strong finish and winning the title would be a fitting conclusion to it.
“Sobrang saya ko, galing po ako sa Top 8 eh parang sobrang baba, ginamit ko yung time na yun na magpahinga at mag reset,” said Light who struggled to find a team prior to the season before he was picked up by Coach Panda to join RSG.
“‘Yun ‘yung mindset gusto ko maging pinaka malakas eh parang ganun so nagsipag talaga ako nag grind, nagsacrifice and yun nakuha naman po ni coach panda sobrang saya naabot ko na yung pangarap ko unti unti,” he added.
RSG still has plenty of time to prepare as the crew will not see action until the second day of the playoffs on April 29. They will face the winner of the Nexplay Evos and Onic Philippines match.