The past season has been a tough one for RSG PH gold laner Eman “EMANN” Sangco.
After being picked up by RSG PH for its debut season in the MPL Philippines Season Eight, EMANN, who was still playing the jungler role at the time, never saw action for the team for the entirety of the season.
“Dati ano, nung ‘di ako nakalaro naging malungkot ako kasi gustong gusto kong mag laro nun e. Tapos nandoon lang ako sa gilid, nag che-cheer,” shared EMANN after RSG PH’s 4-1, title-clinching win over Omega Esports in the MPL Philippines Season Nine grand finals on Monday.
But after riding the bench for a full season, EMANN eventually cracked the main five, suiting up in the team’s campaign in the 2021 MPL Invitational. There, the former Amihan Esports standout was able to showcase his worth, transitioning into the gold lane as the team decided to sit out a couple of its starters for the tournament.
Without a doubt, EMANN was able to make a good account of himself in his new role with a couple of explosive performances against top-notch international squads. Unfortunately, though, it was not enough as the team finished at 5th-6th place after losing to eventual champions ONIC Esports in the quarterfinals.
Making matters worse, EMANN, along with veteran Dexter “Exort” Martinez, was relegated to the tryout list after the MPL season. This put both of them in danger of losing their respective slots in the RSG PH roster.
“Ngayong Season Nine ginalingan ko talaga kasi muntik na ako matanggal e,” revealed EMANN
“Napunta ako sa tryout stage tapos ayun, napasa ko tapos nag-practice pa ako nang nag-practice para lumakas pa lalo para hindi ako tanggalin sa team,” he said.
After surviving the cut, EMANN made sure to work even harder to prevent the same thing from happening again – using the events that happened in Season Eight as his motivation to become better.
Moreover, he made sure to repay the team’s faith by not wasting the second chance that was given to him.
“Sobrang motivation sakin yun kasi sobrang naiinggit ako sa kanila e kasi nakikita ko silang naglalaro sa MPL. Sobrang inggit talaga ako, kasi lalo na yung family ko na gusto akong makita na mag laro sa stage tapos ayun, hinihintay ako mag laro tapos eto na,” said EMANN.
Then came a blessing in disguise that most definitely changed the trajectory of his career. RSG PH starting gold laner Christian “Iy4knu” Manaog, after playing for five consecutive seasons, decided to sit out Season Nine to rest.
EMANN assumed the role left by the seasoned gold laner and immediately made an impact for RSG PH – leading the league in the KDA department after the second week of the regular season while also being named the Most Valuable Player of that same week.
He eventually finished the regular season with a 6.46 KDA – third best for players who played at least five games – and ranked third in the kills department with 161 behind junglers Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol and Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, respectively.
EMANN also saved the best for last, nabbing the last two MVP awards in the grand finals with a 6-1-5 performance on Clint in Game Four and a 5-1-8 line on Wanwan in the clincher.
What a way to make the most out of second chances, right?
“Ayun, nag bunga yung pag ga-grind ko sa gold lane. Ito na yung narating ngayon.”
