Just like any other kid, Mark “KRAMM” Rusiana’s parents were hesitant to support their child in pursuing his Mobile Legends: Bang Bang dream.
KRAMM started playing the game at just 13 years old and easily became one of the best young prospects in the amateur scene. Unfortunately, his mother’s lack of support made it difficult for him to pursue his passion.
Unable to get her approval, he was forced to pack his bags and run away from home to give himself a shot at chasing his dreams.
“Actually, hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya iki-kwento eh. Pero yun nga, nagsimula ako mag-ML nung 13 years old ako. Bago pa ko mag-start talaga ng ML marami na akong pinagdaanan,” said KRAMM.
“Di ko alam kung paano sasabihin pero ayun, nung time kasi na yon ‘di na rin ako sinuportahan ng nanay ko sabay lumayas ako. Dun na rin nagsimula yung mga karanasan ko, kaya sobrang independent ko talaga matagal na,” he revealed.
(C) Esports World Cup
Dead-set on making a name for himself in the MPL PH scene, KRAMM persevered and finally got his first break—joining the STI e-Olympians in the second season of The Nationals.
When things didn’t go the way he wanted at STI, he transferred to ArkAngel, which had already established itself as a force in the ML:BB scene after winning a title in the MPL PH Season 3, before eventually getting relegated.
There, he played with the likes of Falcons AP.Bren star Stephen “Super Marco” Requitianio, KeepBest Gaming’s Kenneth “Saxa” Fedellin, former TNC star Robee “Yasuwo” Pormocille, and Fnatic ONIC PH roamer Jomarie “Escalera” Delos Santos and dominated the amateur scene.
After a strong showing in the amateur circuit, the roster was picked apart by MPL PH teams. Super Marco and Saxa headed to AP.Bren, while Escalera, Yasuwo, and KRAMM were signed by TNC.
At long last, KRAMM finally got the opportunity that he has been waiting for.
(C) Esports World Cup
The 19-year-old EXP laner played a key role in helping TNC get out of the cellar, steering the team to a third-place finish in his debut season, the organization’s highest since entering the league in Season 8.
Things, however, fell apart immediately with TNC suffering back-to-back eighth-place finishes in the following seasons, which led to KRAMM’s departure before Season 12. He jumped to ONIC PH, but the team underperformed and got booted out in the first round of the playoffs–which marked the last time that he suited up in the MPL Philippines.
“Sa MPL run namin, sa career ko sa MPL PH, ‘di rin masyado naging successful kaya cino-consider ko siya na isa sa mga mahirap na pinagdaanan ko,” KRAMM said.
Despite going through countless adversities in his young career, KRAMM never wavered.
He decided to try his luck and audition for a spot in the Malaysian squad Selangor Red Giants, headed by Filipino champion coach Michael “Arcadia” Bocado, as he looked for a career reboot overseas.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
KRAMM, along with former TNC teammate Vincent “Innocent” Banal, powered Selangor to the MPL Malaysia Season 13 championship.
“Parang nahanap ko na rin yung [team] na fit sa laro ko. Marami na rin talaga akong pinagdaanan sa PH eh, kahit bago pa ako mag-start sa MPL,” bared KRAMM.
(C) Esports World Cup
But his redemption tour did not just end there.
Playing against the top teams in the world on arguably the biggest and grandest stage ever made, KRAMM embraced the spotlight and spearheaded the Red Giants to a surprising campaign in the ML:BB Mid Season Cup 2024 at the Esports World Cup.
The Red Giants defied the odds, eventually taking down reigning world champion Falcons AP.Bren in a thrilling seven-game affair in the grand finals to become the first Malaysian squad to win an international title.
Selangor’s historic run also saw them pocket a total of $1,000,000 (close to 59 million pesos)—the highest payout for any ML:BB tournament.
Indeed, KRAMM has come a long way from being a runaway kid to winning arguably the biggest grand prize in ML:BB history.
“Sobrang saya ko para sa sarili ko and proud ako sa sarili ko kasi parang hindi ako tumigil sa pangarap ko.”
