Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno has long been hailed as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s greatest of all time.
However, the 20-year-old phenom has consistently downplayed the label, insisting he still has much more to prove.
More often, he would cite his lack of an MSC title to defer the G.O.A.T. label.
After winning the MPL Philippines Season 15 title, Karltzy was asked if he would accept the G.O.A.T. title if he wins the MSC crown this year, and he replied, “Maybe.”
So when Team Liquid Philippines went all the way in yesterday’s MSC grandfinals, even KarlTzy could no longer deny the undeniable
“If I have a lot of people backing me up, saying I’m the G.O.A.T. then I agree with them right now,” said the newly-minted MSC champion during the post-game press conference.
KarlTzy has come a long way, and with his journey comes more than half a decade of excellence and legacy.
He entered the MPL Philippines in Season 2 as a 14-year-old prodigy Finesse Solid, and less than a year later, he went on to win the Southeast Asian Games during the inaugural Esports Tournament in the biennial event.
Even the COVID-19 pandemic that hit in early 2020 could not derail Karltzy’s ascension to stardom as he led Bren Esports to the M2 World Championship title.
Back then, all eyes were on Carlito “Ribo” Jr. when it came to the G.O.A.T. debate, but KarlTzy rose to prominence once again when he led ECHO to the M4 World Championship, becoming the only person at the time to be a two-time M-series world champion.
The following season, he bagged his second MPL Philippines title. Another title sandwiched by two MSC heartbreaks brought us to where KarlTzy is today.
And as he completes his trophy collection, the debate is over.
“I’m just really happy and proud of myself that I became the G.O.A.T.,” said KarlTzy on what he felt about his MSC trophy and finally accepting people’s recognition of his legendary status.
It took a while, but KarlTzy has finally embraced his G.O.A.T. status — something he earned through hard work and took him two MSC failures before ultimately achieving.
