By: Arjohn Roxas
Although the sting of missing the last M7 World Championship berth still lingered, Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales expressed delight over his team’s unexpected rise — a run made even sweeter knowing they entered the playoffs as underdogs.
In an exclusive interview with Tiebreaker Times, the former world champion admitted that while their performance surprised many fans, he always believed the team had more to show.
“Siguro parang nakakagulat yung run ng TNC this season pero ayun tulad ng nasabi ko, oo for TNC magandang run pero ako personally alam kong may mas igaganda pa sana,” Bennyqt said.
For the veteran gold laner, their resurgence reminded him how fulfilling it is to prove people wrong, especially when no one expected them to win.
“Siguro narealize ko lang na mas masaya yung mga panalo kapag underdog ka kumpara sa ineexpect kayo ng tao na manalo,” he said. “This time, underdog kami, walang nage-expect, kaya bawat panalo sobrang saya talaga.”
Despite facing his former team, Team Liquid PH, in the playoffs, Bennyqt said he felt no pressure. Instead, he drew confidence from their preparation and recent momentum.
“Actually wala (pressure) kasi going sa playoffs nung pagkatalo namin sa Twisted after ng laban namin sa Aurora, nakasabay kami and natalo namin yung M6 champs,” he said.
“So parang wala nang reason para matakot pa kami sa magiging sunod naming kalaban.”
He also credited TNC’s coaching staff for unlocking the team’s potential and helping them overcome the issues that haunted them last season.
(C) MPL PH
“Masaya at proud ako sa kanila kasi ayun, last season kasama ko din sila at alam nila sa sarili nila na may ilalabas pa talaga sila,” he said.
“With the right guidance na dumating sa bagong coaches, mas na-unlock yung potential nila.”
Bennyqt couldn’t help but smile at the growing comparisons between TNC and his former team, Execration, noting that the similarities are hard to ignore with familiar faces and the same fearless underdog spirit that once defined their old roster.
“Oo ayun nga nakakatawa din nakita ko din yun sa internet masasabi ko lang siguro kase parang andami din namin na galing execration and andiyan din talaga yung mga promising players si Zaida tsaka si 3mar kaya siguro parang nagkasabay-sabay lang talaga yung team na magaling lahat,” he said.
Looking ahead, the veteran said this season’s run will serve as a valuable experience for TNC, especially in handling high-pressure situations.
“Siguro magiging malaking bagay siya para sa next season kasi ayun din naman yung medyo kulang ng team last season—yung experience,” Bennyqt explained.
“Ngayon, nakita ko na yung mga problems namin about pressured games, hindi na ganun ka-visible, so madami talaga kaming natutunan.”
