Back in MPL Philippines Season 9, Jomarie “Escalera” Santos was one of the most promising new faces in the league, winning the Rookie of the Season award and helping TNC Pro Team place 3rd overall, the franchise’s best playoff finish in history.
However, everything went downhill from there as he would be part of the TNC squad that finished 8th in two consecutive seasons before moving to ONIC Philippines in Season 12, finishing 5th-6th.
With King “K1NGKONG” Perez and Duane “Kelra” Pillas joining ONIC in Season 13, the spotlight veered even further for Escalera. However, in Week 3, he proved that he’s still one of the league’s best by winning the Week 3 MVP along with spearheading ONIC’s five-game winning streak.
ONIC head coach Tony “Ynot” Senedrin couldn’t be any happier with the recognition that Escalera has been receiving as of late, as he himself has been left in awe of his roamer’s dedication and brilliance in the game.
“Gusto lang din kasi namin makita ng lahat ‘yung capabilities ng mga players namin. Kasi everyone is just talking ‘yung K and K (K1NGKONG and Kelra) connection. It’s about time na nag-shine ‘yung laro ni Escalera against Blacklist. Sobrang nakakaproud in a sense. Kitang-kita kasi sa kanya ‘yung gigil eh, ‘yung gigil buong season,” said Ynot on Escalera after they swept the three-time MPL PH champions.
“Wala na talaga inisip ‘yun kundi mag-ML. Kaya nakakatuwa kasi nakikita mo ‘yung results eh. Nakikita naman eh. And daily effort talaga siya. Even in between breaks, after ng scrim, wala akong maririnig sa kanya kundi ML talaga.”
In Week 3, ONIC swept both Blacklist, where Escalera took the Game 1 MVP, and TNC, highlighted by an early game brilliant outplay from the 25-year-old roamer.
Escalera averaged 2.25 kills and 8.0 assists to gain the league’s recognition.
“Yung ginawa niya nung early, tuwang-tuwa talaga kami. Parang may kilig factor pa eh kasi ang ganda ‘nung play na ginawa ng TNC pero ayun nga nagawan niya ng paraan niya mag-isa. Pinakalma niya pa ‘yung mga kakampi niya nung time na ‘yun eh,” Ynot said of Escalera’s highlight play early in Game 2 against TNC.
Ynot admits that he remains amazed by Escalera halfway through the season, seeing how he’s been growing and the way he has performed on the MPL PH stage.
“Every day talaga naa-amaze ako dun sa tao na ‘yun eh. Napag-uusapan nga namin na sobrang sakto si E2max part ng team kasi nagagabayan niya si JoJo sa mga bagay na kumbaga pagkukulang ni E2max before,” Ynot said.
“As for ‘yung mind kasi sobrang malikot ‘yung mind niya na ang husay talaga eh. Sobrang adaptable. And ‘yung confidence niya kasi sobrang through the roof.”
Escalera’s MVP performance will be crucial as ONIC tries to take down AP.Bren on Saturday, April 13, before a rematch against ECHO on Sunday, April 14.
