The dilemma of finishing a degree or pursuing a career in the professional scene has long been a challenge for many esports athletes.
Some choose to gamble on their esports career, but for De La Salle University’s Joshua Nathaniel “Aspect” Tating, pursuing a degree outweighed his professional playing career.
Aspect played in MPL Philippines Season 7 for Laus Playbook Esports (LPE) under coach Brian “Panda” Lim before moving to ECHO the following season.
“I used to get offers nung nag-leave ako sa ECHO pero hindi kasi pwede ipagsabay yung pro at pag-aaral. ‘Pag nasa pro ka kasi, strict yung schedule ng practice. Whole day talaga siya and rigorous so ‘di mo maba-balance yung studies,” said the 20-year-old jungler in an exclusive interview.
Aspect, an incoming third-year Computer Science student, has been a consistent dean’s lister since he entered college.
“Mahilig po kasi ako sa mga computer-related stuff and lagi akong gumagamit ng computer so I think natural na sa’kin yung Computer Science,” shared Aspect on why he chose this course.
When he heard about the inclusion of esports in the UAAP, Aspect’s competitive nature was reignited.
“Medyo na-excite ako ang happy kasi siyempre, malaking opportunity yung UAAP tapos first time magkaron ng esports sa UAAP,” he said.
Despite being a former professional player, Aspect was allowed to play in the UAAP Esports Tournament 2024 due to eligibility rules stating that Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Esports Athlete license holders may play provided their license expired by May 31, 2023.
Aspect believes that the UAAP Esports Tournament can offer a fallback for many players who struggle to find success and sustainability in the professional scene.
“I think definitely option po talaga in the future for pro players yung maglaro sa UAAP. Kasi for example bata pa yung player tapos di nag-succeed sa pro scene, may fall back siya. Hindi naman siya career talaga. It’s more like student-athlete so you don’t have to put everything on the line for that. And you can rest easy since you still have your studies,” Aspect said.
It is important to note that, unlike traditional sports, MLBB players can go pro as young as their early teenage years, as seen with Team Liquid PH’s Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, whose first foray in MPL Philippines was back in Season 2 with Finesse Solid as a 14-year-old prodigy.
Having experienced the pro ranks, Aspect is currently focused on carving a path in his chosen field as a future Computer Science degree holder.
“I think mas ie-explore ko yung opportunity sa course ko rather than try to go pro again sa MPL. I think kasi since ga-graduate ako ng college, medyo umangat na rin ng age. Prime years pa rin naman po yun para mag-MPL pero hindi na po siya ideal para sa akin,” he said.
“And I think mas stable yung opportunity dito sa course ko after graduation.”
