Having won it all in the amateur ranks, Minana Esports, which now represents the new-look Nexplay EVOS squad, simply knows that it is taking on a different beast when it makes the leap to the professional scene.
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That’s why even with glory and success in the amateur ranks, Minana Esports founder Julius ‘Banoobs” Mariano opted to have the team take a three-month break from competitive gaming to prepare themselves for the biggest stage of the MLBB.
“It's 11 consecutive wins and a total of 19 championships, we did a break starting November na hindi kami nagcompete sa any amateur scenes kasi we wanted to focus on the holistic development of the players going into the pro scene,” said Banoobs after NXPE-Minana made a successful debut in the MPL Philippines Season 11 with a 2-0 sweep of TNC Pro Team.
Fully aware of the harsh realities of being a professional player, especially when dealing with the pressure of having to perform and meet the expectations of the fans, Banoobs stressed it was important for the team to develop the mental fortitude.
“Napaka-importante kasi na maprepare namin sila with the mental fortitude to the pro scene na kaunting mali mo lang grabe na yung bash ng mga tao without considering any feelings,” he added.
With only one series of experience now tucked under their belt, the Minana founder knew that the team still has a lot to prove especially when they go up against powerhouse teams like Bren Esports, Blacklist International and ECHO.
He, however, is keeping his faith with his boys knowing full well that they have the potential to be great – something he already noticed even when they barely have anything to compete.
“Biggest team ng inspiration namin is Blacklist especially nung nakalaban namin sila nung nag-start palang kami IESF,” shared Banoobs.
‘Yung players palang that time kakastart palang namin, wala pa kaming phones, wala pa kaming bootcamp ang init ng mga phones nila tapos nung nakita ko na nakapalag sila this is a huge future talaga,” he added.
“Very promising and nag all-in kami dun and sobrang happy ako na nagtiwala ang Ampverse to invest to the future and dreams of these kids.”