PUTRAJAYA – Selangor Red Giants head coach Michael “Arcadia” Bocado and Mark “Kramm” Rusiana are expressing strong interest in joining the SIBOL Pilipinas next year, following a remarkable run in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (ML:BB) scene that saw them dominate nearly every competition.
Both Arcadia and Kramm voiced their aspirations to represent the Philippines in future international tournaments after Selangor’s lower bracket finals exit in the M6 World Championship held at the Axiata Arena last Saturday.
“Sana mabigyan ng chance na ma-coach ‘yung national team. For sure, iga-grab ko ‘yung opportunity na ‘yun,” said Arcadia during the post-game press conference.
“Siguro kung may chance ako na makapag-try out ako sa SIBOL, gusto kong maglaro sa SIBOL. Kung bibigyan ako ng chance, maglalaro ako doon,” echoed Kramm in a separate interview.
Arcadia disclosed that he had already reached out to the Philippine Esports Organization to express his intent to join the SIBOL coaching staff.
This follows his success at the IESF World Esports Championship 2024, where he led the Malaysian national team to a gold-medal victory against SIBOL itself.
Now a two-time MPL Malaysia champion coach, Arcadia has his sights set on the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, hoping to secure a role in SIBOL’s coaching staff.
“Sa totoo lang, before pa mangyari ‘yung IESF, nagbibigay na ako ng interest na gusto ko talaga mag-coach ng (SIBOL) national team. Pero siyempre, naintindihan ko rin na may process na sinusunod ‘yung mga national teams,” explained the former RRQ Hoshi coach.
“So going to the SEA Games, minessage ko na sila boss. ‘Di na ako mag-drop name, pero ayun, tinanong ko kung kaya. Willing ako mag-tryout kasi gusto ko talaga sa SEA Games kasi iba na ‘yun eh, national pride na.”
(C) MOONTON Games
Both Arcadia and Kramm might see their dreams realized soon. SIBOL executive director Marlon Marcelo and general manager Jab Escutin recently announced plans to form an extensive pool of players and coaches, which could include Filipino talents from around the globe, should the Olympic Esports Games feature ML:BB in its lineup.
However, the International Olympic Committee has yet to release the list of esports titles to be included in the inaugural Olympic Esports Games set to take place in Saudi Arabia next year.
Arcadia and Kramm have been instrumental in putting Malaysia on the ML:BB map. Alongside fellow Filipino John “Innocent” Banal, the trio powered Selangor to back-to-back MPL Malaysia titles in Seasons 13 and 14 – the first team in league history to achieve this feat.
They also led Selangor to its first-ever international championship by clinching the ML:BB Mid-Season Cup.
The Red Giants were on track to secure the elusive “Golden Road” in the ML:BB scene before being eliminated by Team Liquid ID in the lower bracket finals of the M6 World Championship, finishing in third place.
This bronze-medal finish tied Todak’s M1 performance as the highest placement for a Malaysian team in the M-Series.
Arcadia also coached the Malaysian national team to victory at the IESF World Esports Championship, while rumors swirl about the potential naturalization of Kramm and Innocent to join Malaysia’s squad.
Despite their deep ties to Malaysia, Arcadia and Kramm remain committed to SIBOL, prioritizing opportunities to represent the Philippines above all else.
“Para sa akin, syempre, pipiliin ko ‘yung Pilipinas. Hindi ako maghe-hesitate basta nandoon ‘yung opportunity. Pipiliin ko ‘yun. ‘Yun naman talaga ‘yung gusto ko from the start – gusto ko magka-chance kasi ‘yun na lang ‘yung tournament na hindi ko na-eexperience. Sana mabigyan ako ng opportunity na mag-coach,” said Arcadia.
“Kumbaga, uunahin ko muna ‘yung Pilipinas. Kung may chance ako na maglaro sa Pinas, feel ko itutuloy ko. Pero kung wala, icoconsider ko ‘yung Malaysia. Open po [ako doon sa naturalization],” added Kramm.
