Down but unbowed.

ECHO may have lost to Blacklist International in the MPL Philippines Season 10 Grand Finals but its young guns in Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya and Alston “Sanji” Pabico seemed unperturbed by the painful defeat fully knowing there’s a bigger battle ahead of them.

The two young players, who gained notoriety as the San-San brothers due to their stellar plays in the regular season and in the playoffs, showed maturity beyond their years not just during the game but also on how they are taking arguably the biggest lost of their budding careers.

Sanji, for one, was even refusing to dwell on the loss and would rather focus on what they had gained after facing up against the World Champions twice in the playoffs.

“Para sa akin po sobrang laking experience yung na-gain ko dito lalo na yung nakalaban ko dito sa finals is Blacklist na napakalakas na team, buong buo yung chemistry nila,” said the ECHO rookie.

Sanford echoed the same sentiments, noting that they gained valuable experience heading into the M4 World Championships in January.

“Sobrang laking bagay po nito kasi malalaman pa po namin yung mga kailangan naming ayusin so makakapagprepare po kami sa M4 at sana hindi na kapusin sa M4,” said Sanford.

Having been able to play in front of huge crowd would also help them overcome stage fright come M4 according to the two.

“Ibang iba po siya sa amateur. Sa amateur po kasi pumasok ako ng pandemic so parang iniisip ko na lang na walang tao sa paligid ko, lalaruin ko lang talaga yung laro ko,” said Sanji.

“Mas lalong ginaganahan po kasi ang dami pong nanonood sa team namin and sa akin so parang mas masarap if manalo so parang gaganahan ka talaga,” Sanford added.

More than that however the ECHO rookies are ready and eager to face Blacklist and get back at it in the grandest of stages.

“Babawian na lang po namin sila sa M4.”