RSG PH’s Dylan “Light” Catipon became the second consecutive roamer to hoist the MPL Philippines Most Valuable Player award after Salic “Hadji” Imam of Blacklist International achieved the feat last season.
MPL legend CJ “Ribo” Ribo, who played multiple roles at the time but mainly used tank heroes, first won the award back in the league’s inaugural season.
Indeed, it was a huge win for the 19-year-old Light, who struggled back in Season Eight with TNC. But more than his personal gain, the former Work Auster Force standout is just glad to finally see the roam position get its much-deserved recognition after getting overlooked in the past couple of seasons.
“Sobrang saya ko po and knowing na galing po ako sa eighth [place] tapos umangat, bumawi talaga, talagang parang revenge arc yung ‘pag bawi,” said Light in his official press conference since winning the award.
“Sobrang saya talaga kasi usually yung nakikita ng mga tao is mga junglers, mga flashy roles so kami naman parang support lang. Ayun, maraming salamat din sa mga nag vote sakin kasi na no-notice nila yung importance ng roamer,” he added.
Light, after a disastrous campaign with TNC which saw the team finish last in the previous season, was able to secure a slot in RSG PH’s roster after a successful tryout stint that pitted him against the best of the best in both the amateur and professional scenes.
He also expressed his utmost gratitude to RSG PH head coach Brian “Panda” Lim for taking a chance on him and giving him the keys to run the team.
“Sobrang thankful ko rin kay coach kasi na kinuha niya ako. Galing po kasi ako sa tryouts sa kaniya e, may mga kalaban din ako doon mga amateurs and pros so thank you dahil kinuha niya ako,” said Light, who spoke after RSG PH’s 3-0 sweep of ONIC PH in the second round of the playoffs.
“Parang pinromise ko sa sarili ko na gagalingan ko para maging sulit yung pag kuha niya sakin,” he added.
According to RSG PH head coach Brian “Panda” Lim, who handled several exceptional playmakers in Allan “Lusty” Castromayor, EJ “Heath” Esperanza, Jeniel “YellyHaze” Bata-anon, and Jay “Jay” Torculas, Light is one of the few players in the scene who puts premium in timing.
That, along with his superb decision-making, is what makes him one of the best up-and-coming tanks not just in the Philippines but in the world.
“Light is one of the very few players not only in the Philippines but also sa ibang bansa including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and any other countries, he’s one of the few players who has very good timing to know when to play aggressive when to play defensive. He knows how to change his decisions agad,” explained Panda.
With the MVP award now in his hands, does Light consider himself the best roamer in the league? Surprisingly, he does not. Not until he surpasses his predecessor, according to him.
(C) MPL PH
“Para sa akin, si Hadji [yung need kong malagpasan]. Ang galing niya, gusto kong maging katulad niya. Sobrang ganda kasi ng mechanical skills niya e pero unti unti naman, ta-try ko siyang higitan.”
