By: Arjohn Roxas
When rumors started swirling about RSG Philippines’ exit from MPL Philippines in Season 14, Dylan “Light” Catipon already felt his world turning upside down.
The future of the team he once led to the MSC title suddenly became uncertain. Not long after, he became a journeyman before eventually finding a new home at Aurora.
LONE WOLF IN INDONESIA
(C) Moonton Games
Long before his arrival at Bigetron Esports, Light revealed that Emman — who had moved to MPL Indonesia in Season 13 — had been persistently inviting him to join the team, banking on their past chemistry and championship experience.
“Every season, lagi niya akong minemessage, ‘G ka ba rito?’ Lagi akong naghihindi kasi ayoko talaga doon eh. Pero after Season 14, niyaya niya ulit ako, nung una, nag-hindi pa rin ako. Tapos bigla akong nag-message sa kanya: ‘Game na, sali ako diyan,’” he said.
Despite having fellow Filipinos in Emman and Coach Patrick “E2max” Caidic on the squad, the transition wasn’t easy.
“Unang-una sigurong struggle ko is sa pakikisama, tapos yung language, yung culture,” he admitted.
“Parang lone wolf ako nung time na yun.”
He found it difficult to adjust to how the team followed its daily schedule — vastly different from what he was used to at RSG. Even the smallest details felt foreign.
“Pinag-uusapan namin yung schedule na dapat daw sabay-sabay kakain ng 1:00 PM. Sabi ko naman ‘Pano yun maaga ako nagigising, mga 10-11 kumakain na ko?’” he said.
“So parang ininsist ko na edi agahan na lang natin kesa mas late. Since lahat sila gusto nila late, so ayun.”
His experience with RSG became his benchmark for how a championship team should operate — a mindset he admitted he tried to impose on his new team.
“Parang sa kanila ko hinahanap yun na parang ‘Dapat kaya mo ‘to eh,’ ‘Dapat eto yung ginagawa mo eh’,” he said.
That mindset, however, led to his early struggles when the season began, which eventually resulted in his benching by midseason. Recognizing his shortcomings, Light worked to align himself better with his teammates.
“So yung mga di nila maco-cover, yun yung sinosolusyunan ko na, kumbaga akin na lang yung trabaho na yun kung di mo kaya,” he added.
“Yun siguro yung pinakamagandang na-realize ko kasi nakatulong siya sa growth ko, kung anong meron ako ngayon.”
Despite all the setbacks, BTR gave him lessons he couldn’t have learned at home. Being forced out of his comfort zone taught him resilience and problem-solving.
“Pag may problema sa team, imbes na hanapin ko sa iba, ako na yung sumosolusyon,” he said.
HOMECOMING WITH THE NORTHERN LIGHT
(C) Moonton Games
The past year tested Light’s resolve more than ever. He openly admitted to battling self-doubt — from missing the playoffs with RSG in Season 14, to being sidelined and reverse-swept with BTR in Season 15.
Looking back, his struggles in Indonesia made him regret not pursuing an earlier opportunity with ONIC Philippines, who had reached out to him before their Season 14 campaign.
“Sayang, dapat grinab ko na lang. Hindi ko sinasabi na maganda agad result, pero mas okay na option siguro,” he reflected.
After being benched in Weeks 7 to 8 of MPL Indonesia Season 15, Light kept grinding in ranked games — sometimes even staying up until 5:00 AM. He often played with his former RSG teammate Jonard “Demonkite” Caranto, who later invited him to try out for Aurora since the team needed a shotcaller.
“Nung hindi na ako pinapalaro sa playoffs, nag-RG na lang ako tapos nakakalaro ko si (Demon)kite. Inano niya ko, ‘Uy, baka magpahinga si Renejay, pwede ka rito.’ Di niya naman sinasabi na 100-percent sure kasi hindi pa naman nagsasabi si Renejay, pero since nagbabalak na siyang lumipat, sabi ko agad, ‘Sige, gusto ko diyan,’” Light recalled.
Light admitted he hadn’t fully developed yet as a captain and shotcaller.
“Yun yung bini-build up ko, alam ko sa sarili ko nung time na yun di pa ‘ko well developed talaga na maging captain,” he said.
But Aurora’s environment was different from the start.
“Walang team drama. Priority nila yung player-care,” he shared.
From streaming rooms to open consultations with Elrasec “Boss Rada” Ocampo, everything was designed to help players focus on being their best. It was a stark contrast to the turbulence of his past.
At Aurora, Light finally felt at home.
“Warm welcome na hanggang sa tuloy-tuloy na. Yung bond tsaka yung chemistry nabubuo,” he said.
Everything eventually fell into place for Light and Aurora, who are now leading the pack in MPL Philippines Season 16 — tying the league record for the most consecutive wins in the regular season at 13.
At Aurora, Light finally felt the weight he had been carrying for so long lifted from his shoulders.
