Smart Omega roamer Deomark “Mikko” Tabangay admitted to feeling the pressure filling in Joshua “Ch4knu” Mangilog’s shoes as the team’s main roamer for the MPL Philippines Season 11.
“Nung first week po, naapektuhan po ako kasi sobrang laki po nung pinalitan ko, si Ch4knu,” Mikko told members of the press.
Omega’s former star roamer decided to skip Season 11 which catapulted Mikko into the starting line-up after staying in the shadow of Ch4knu in Season 10 as the team’s backup roamer.
With the losses piling up this season, Mikko received much of the tirades from dissatisfied Omega fans. Lucky for him, his coaches always had his back.
“Kinausap din ako ng coaches na hindi ko kailangan mapressure. Kumbaga yung pambabash ng mga fans sakin, gawin kong motivation para unti-unti akong mag-improve sa game po,” said Mikko when asked on how he was able to handle the bashing on social media.
“Sinaulo ko lang yung mga sinasabi sakin ng coaches na, ayun nga po, na pag dinown ko kasi yung sarili ko, maapektuhan yung laro ko. Maaapektuhan din po yung teammates ko,” he continued.
“Pero pag ginawa ko po siya na motivation, mapapakita ko sa fans na hindi po ko pinasok dito dahil sa kung ano lang. May [gusto] talaga akong patunayan,”
Mikko showed determination and even earned him the moniker “MikChou” from fans due to his highlight reel-worthy plays with the hero.
During Game 2 of their series against TNC Pro Team, he accurately executed a Way of the Dragon plus Flicker combo that helped Kelra score a maniac leading to the sweep.
Mikko was also grateful to the loyal Omega fans who kept supporting them despite a tumultuous start to their Season 11 campaign.
He singled out one of his fans who sent him a long message of encouragement that pushed him onwards.
“Parang sobrang haba po nung message niya sakin. Tapos ang sabi niya po sakin nun na wag ko po pansinin yung mga bashers,” he revealed.
“Kasi nakita naman na daw po nila yung ginawa ko nung Season 10. Maganda daw po yung pinakita ko. Kumbaga kailangan lang daw po ng onting painit para gumanda yung Season 11.”
With the first half of Season 11 behind them and a new found confidence as of late after going the distance against M4 world champions Echo and sweeping TNC Pro Team, Mikko’s emergence as one of the league’s top roamers will key as Omega once again try to make a late rally for the playoffs.
