Following a stellar two-season stint with Nexplay EVOS, head coach John “Zico” Dizon has decided to leave the organization and accept a coaching opportunity abroad.
According to the 22-year-old coach, personal growth is one of the main reasons why he decided to take the offer. He also revealed that he made sure to consult Setsuna “Akosi Dogie” Ignacio first before coming up with the decision.
“Yung drive siguro sa sarili ko na gusto ko pang mag-explore at i-try yung skills ko kung kaya ko din ba gawin or lampasan overseas yung mga nagawa ko dito sa ‘Pinas,” said Zico, who declined to identify the team that offered him a contract.
“Second yung offers, minsan lang yung ganun na opportunity at kaya di rin ako nahirapan mag-decide kasi nag consult naman ako kay Boss D kung ano ba dapat kong i-grab,” he added.
The former ONIC PH roamer started his first official coaching gig in Season Eight when he was handed the keys to the famed Nexplay franchise. He led the team to a fourth-place finish – the highest in franchise history – and ended its ‘eighth place’ curse.
Zico also steered the team to the finals of the SIBOL National Team Selection where they lost to eventual gold medalists Blacklist International. Then came Season Nine, Zico’s last season with the team, where the squad finished at 5th-6th place after getting booted out by ONIC PH in the first round.
With all that experience under his belt, Zico is confident that he can help his new squad in the same way he helped Nexplay EVOS before.
“Mas mafu-fulfill ko sa new team yung mga naging pagkukulang ko last season kaya alam kong kaya ko silang i-angat din,” said Zico, who first started as an assistant coach for Nexplay EVOS in Season Seven.
Zico is set to leave the country on June 15, Wednesday. He also said that he will reveal his new team in his next vlog.
