After playing for 11 seasons in the MPL Philippines and experiencing back-to-back 7th place finishes in the last two, Jeniel “Haze” Bata-Anon was convinced it was time to move on as a player and venture into different facets of the esports scene.
In Season 12, he returned to the MPL Philippines as part of the MINANA Evos coaching staff.
He admits to becoming comfortable with his role as the analyst of MINANA Evos, but when Setsuna “Dogie” Ignacio approached him to play again, he was quickly convinced.
“Nung last season, okay na kong maging analyst. Ganun na lang. Pero sabi niya tiwala siya sakin. Tapos parang nagkaron ng rebuilding sa team. Sabi niya, ako yung gusto niyang maging Pos4 tapos i-try namin kung mag-work,” shared Haze when asked what pushed him to make a comeback as a player.
Although listed on the roster as a player, it was not until Week 6 of the MPL Philippines when Haze finally got the chance to once again showcase his skills in the league.
As the starting midlaner Lance “LanceCy” Cunanan had to take a leave from the team to attend to family matters, Haze was tasked to step in.
His ‘re-entry’ to the league led to a convincing 2-0 sweep of ONIC Philippines, a victory which ensured MINANA’s passage to the postseason for the first time since they finished 5th-6th in Season 9.
“Okay naman yung performance namin against ONIC pero di pa po kasi yun yung laro namin ng team ko. Di pa po yun yung mapapakita namin. Marami pa po kasi kaming ibang tinry na di pa nalalabas. Fulfilled kasi nagawa namin yung plano namin. Pinagplanuhan talaga namin yung ONIC. Inaral talaga namin,” he said of their perforamcne.
Having won one MPL PH title and one MSC title, he has nothing further to prove, and his Hall of Legends induction says it all.
He continues to be an icon of longevity, greatness, and leadership in the league, and he has his team to thank for that.
“Mahal ko lang po talaga yung game. Gusto ko lang talaga mag-ML tapos makuha yung achievement sa worlds,” he said when asked what keeps him motivated to play at the highest level of MLBB.
“Pag nagtitiwala kasi yung kampi ko parang nakakalift up din ng confidence.”
