Muj “Malik” Malik proved to be the game-changer for Bren Esports, delivering the world champions’ first win in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League-Philippines on Friday night.
It was a rough start for the former MPL Philippines champion as they dropped their first three games to start the season – falling in another 0-3 hole just like what happened in the previous MPL season.
Looking to turn their fortunes around, Bren Esports inserted Malik, a natural jungler, to the gold lane replacing team captain Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel in the starting lineup while CJ “Ribo” Ribo slid to the support position.
The 17-year-old rookie out of Cotabato City answered his team’s call, putting on decent Alice performances against Omega Esports for the 2-0 sweep – their first MPL win in three weeks.
And for him, none of it would have been possible without Ribo, who guided his transition from the jungle to the gold lane in just four days.
“First of all salamat kay kuya Ribs, kasi si kuya Ribo yung ‘di kami pinabayaan simula day one kahit losing streak kami, nandiyan pa rin siya,” said Malik after the win.
“Tapos yun nga, ‘di siya nag kulang sa ‘pag motivate sa amin.”
According to Bren Esports coach Francis “Duckey” Glindro, he still believes that KarlTzy is the best jungler in the league. So, with that, he decided to let Malik try the gold lane role instead.
“I think si Karl pa rin yung pinakamalakas na jungler dito sa MPL PH so I decided na ipa tryout kay Malik yung gold lane kahit na yung selection ng heroes niya or yung hero choices niya ay junglers,” revealed Duckey.
“Luckily, up to par naman yung mechanics niya in terms of gold lane saka naga-guide siya ni Ribo.”
Malik will be tested even more tomorrow as Bren Esports will take on defending champion Blacklist International at 8:00 PM.
