PHNOM PENH – Filipino EXP laner Gerald “Dlar” Trinchera made a surprise appearance for EVOS Legends when he was inserted in Game 2 of the team’s loss to ONIC Esports in the 2023 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup quarterfinals last Friday.
Dlar played solidly in the last two games of the series, but it was not enough as EVOS Legends bowed out of the tournament after being swept by their fellow Indonesian team at Aeon Mall Mean Chey here.
Despite the unfortunate outcome, Dlar is still at peace knowing that he gave EVOS Legends his all during his time on the stage. He is also glad that he finally got the chance to prove himself again after being benched throughout his entire stay with the former MPL Indonesia champions.
“Sobrang saya kasi naramdaman ko ulit ‘yung init sa stage tsaka ‘yung mga fans nakasuporta talaga, kaya ginalingan ko tapos kung ano ‘man ‘yung mangyari basta binuhos ko lahat ng laro ko,” said Dlar, who last played in an official match in the MPL Indonesia Season 10.
“Kahit sa mga scrims namin, konti lang ‘yung laro ko, sobrang saya ko kasi tiwala pa rin ‘yung mga kakampi ko. Tapos marami akong natutunan sa laro namin sa ONIC,” he added.
(C) Moonton
Dlar said that the coaching staff decided to insert him in the lineup if the team loses their opening match against the reigning MPL Indonesia champions.
The former ONIC Philippines star tallied a kill and three assists against three deaths on Uranus in Game 2, all while providing EVOS Legends with the much-needed space throughout the game. He was also one of the few bright spots for the team in the 22-minute match.
Dlar then ended the series with a 2-1-2 KDA line on Joy in Game 3, which the team lost after 15 minutes of action.
Even though he played decently in his return, Dlar admitted that he is still far from his old, deadly form that made him one of the most formidable EXP laners in the Philippines during his time with ONIC Philippines.
(C) Moonton
“About sa performance ko, sobrang kulang pa e compared sa mga ibang EXP laners kasi sila palagi silang nagte-training e, araw-araw. Kumbaga ‘yung nadala ko lang is ‘yung confidence sa sarili, ‘yung experience ko, ‘yung tiwala ko sa sarili ko, and sa teammates ko,” said Dlar.
“Kaya siguro bumalik na ulit ‘yung gigil ko sa competitive, bumalik na rin ‘yung init ko para maglaro ulit. Sobrang saya ko kasi marami akong natutunan, marami akong na-experience. Kahit one series lang ‘yung laro kanina, grabe ‘yung nabigay na motivation sa akin ng ONIC,” he continued.
The 23-year-old EXP laner from Malabon City also thanked Filipino fans for continuing to support him despite his struggles in the past two seasons.
He also reminded fans to stop bashing his Indonesian teammates, insisting that ML:BB is a team game.
“Unang-una sa lahat, maraming salamat sa mga sumusuporta sa akin kasi kahit feel ko sa sarili ko hindi pa ‘to ‘yung ready, hindi pa ‘to ‘yngg Dlar na nambabalagbag talaga e. Kaya kumbaga tiwala lang talaga sa sarili. Kaya maraming salamat sa sumusuporta sa akin,” said Dlar.
“Yung sa [ako raw] nagbuhat naman, hindi talaga ako ‘yung nagbuhat no’n kasi ‘yung Mobile Legends naman hindi naman ‘yan isa lang ‘yung nagbubuhat e. Kung ano ‘man ‘yung mga naging laro ng mga kakampi ko, kumbaga kailangan i-convert namin ‘yung into positive ways para maging malinis ‘yung laro namin. Tulungan lang talaga sa isa’t-isa,” he explained.
Dlar hopes that his positive performance in the MSC can reboot his career and lead him back to the MPL stage in the upcoming MPL Indonesia Season 12.
