Team SMG welcomed three Filipinos to its roster for the upcoming MPL Malaysia Season 12 last Saturday.
The former MPL MY champion announced the signing of former Omega Esports roamer Deomark “Mikko” Tabangay, ex-TNC jungler Kenneth “Saxa” Fedellin, and former Team Lunatix head coach Paolo “Pao” Villanueva.
The roster will be completed by team captain and gold laner Lu “Sasa” Khai Bean, EXP laner Aeliff “Smooth” Ariff, jungler Wan “Subway” Sakirin, and mid laner Hazziq “Stormie” Rizwan.
Mikko is expected to take on the starting jungler role after Luk “Valenz” Yip was placed on the inactive list to focus on his studies, while Pao will call the shots for Team SMG.
On the other hand, Saxa will share jungler duties with Subway as the team looks to reclaim its spot at the top of MPL Malaysia.
Pao’s coaching staff will consist of Nur “Haru” Adnan (assistant coach) and Saw “Loong” Kee Loong (analyst). The former Nexplay EVOS head coach last coached Team Lunatix in the MPL Malaysia Season 11.
This is not the first time that Team SMG tapped a Filipino to reinforce its team. Back in Season 10, the organization acquired Jaylord “Hate” Gonzales.
Team SMG is coming off a second-place finish in the MPL Malaysia Season 11 after losing to Todak via a sweep in the grand finals.
