Aurora may have drawn one of the toughest starts in MPL Philippines Season 16—facing last season’s top three finishers back-to-back-to-back—but under head coach Aniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani, the squad weathered the storm.
Two early wins against title contenders proved enough to spark momentum for what could be a deep run in the tournament.
For MTB, the key lies in lessons carried over from an unlikely experience: handling Aurora Turkiye in the MLBB Mid Season Cup at the Esports World Cup.
That brief stint, he says, gave him and his players the confidence and composure to stand tall against the league’s heavyweights.
“I think isang factor yun (Aurora Turkiye stint) kasi kung magiging katulad lang kami nung last season, I think hindi talaga namin kakayanin yung TLPH and ONIC,” MTB told Tiebreaker Times.
“Siguro dahil nga nagkaron din kami ng experience sa EWC kaya nagkaron yun ng factor para mas matulungan namin yung players na mas makasabay sa EWC champ and third-placer.”
It was MTB’s first time coaching a foreign squad, and he admitted being surprised by their professionalism and discipline. He marveled at how Aurora Turkiye, despite lacking a domestic MPL league, managed to keep pace with the world’s best.
At MSC 2025, Aurora Turkiye—under MTB’s guidance—shocked ONIC Philippines with an opening-day upset. Months later, history repeated itself as Aurora PH dealt the same powerhouse a loss, fresh off beating the reigning MSC champions.
“Siguro yung pinakanaging learning ko dun is kung bakit sobrang bilis ng growth ng mga players dun. Kahit wala silang MPL, kaya nilang sumabay. Yun yung inapply ko dito,” he said. “Dalawang bagay yan eh. Yung una, outside the game, kung paano nila sumunod sa naging structure namin sa practice dun. Pangalawa naman kung pano sila mag-grind.
“Iba kasi talaga yung adaptation nila kasi wala nga silang MPL.”
That foundation, he believes, explains why Turkish squads have consistently punched above their weight and even toppled Filipino teams on the international stage.
“So ang ganda ng nagiging growth nila dahil sa kung ano yung ginagawa nila. Kumbaga kung ano yung naging habit nila inside and outside the game. Yun yung inaapply namin ngayon para bumilis din yung growth ng Aurora PH,” MTB added.
