Rookies Kyle “KyleTzy” Sayson and Rowgien “Owgwen” Unigo continued to prove their worth for Bren Esports, leading the team to its first playoff appearance since the MPL Philippines Season Seven, Saturday afternoon.
Both players have indeed played a vital part in the Bren Esports’ resurgence in Season 10, where they finally scored their biggest achievement after their title campaign in the M2 World Championships almost two years ago.
That is also why it’s hard to imagine that both KyleTzy and Owgwen were actually last-minute additions to the team.
“Actually to be honest, before the roster lock, we did not expect both those players to even be in the roster in the first place,” said assistant coach Paulo “Pauloxpert” Munsayac after the team’s 2-1 win over RSG PH.
KyleTzy was already on head coach Francis “Duckey” Glindro’s radar back in Season Nine. Unfortunately, Bren Esports and the rookie jungler’s former team failed to reach an agreement for a contract buyout which delayed his arrival.
“For KyleTzy’s acquisition, it was kind of hard. He was being buried behind a contract from an amateur team, I’m not gonna name drop but he was being buried there,” said Duckey.
“He was my top prospect since Season Nine. Unfortunately, the buyout was somewhat astronomical for a player his caliber with all the championships and experience. That’s basically the story of it.”
Meanwhile, Owgwen, who is actually the cousin of Vincent “Pandora” Unigo, was referred by his former teammate Dale “Stowm” Vidor.
(C) MPL PH
“For Owgwenn, we’re lacking one player in position five so I asked Dale (Stowm). I said ,‘Do you know anyone?’ He said, ‘Si Ogwenn!’ and that’s it, the next day he was there. Anticlimactic I know,” shared Duckey.
Pauloxpert and Duckey said in unison that the organization definitely hit the jackpot with both KyleTzy and Owgwen. And they’re looking forward to what both players can provide as they dive deeper into the season.
“They’re so impactful, they’re open-minded, they’re easy to coach, and overall, (they’re) willing to learn. So, it felt like we, Bren itself, just won a jackpot with getting these players at the last minute,” said the former GOSU standout.
“I’ll echo what he said. We hit the jackpot with KyleTzy and Owgwen,” added Duckey.
After losing Game One against RSG PH, Owgwen dished out 13 assists to go along with two deaths on Atlas in Game Two while KyleTzy had three kills, two deaths, and an assist on Paquito.
KyleTzy then had a 2-1-10 KDA line on Benedetta in the clincher while Owgwenn chipped in 13 assists and a kill against two deaths.
Bren Esports, after finishing Season Nine at last place with a 5-9 standing, is currently at the fifth spot carrying a 7-5 slate. They take on Omega Esports on Friday at 5:00 PM.
