RSG PH’s title-retention bid in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup will have to take a backseat for now as head coach Brian “Panda” Lim looks to transform his rejigged lineup into a cohesive unit in time for the MPL Philippines Season 11.
With the absence of Jhonard “Demonkite” Caranto and Arvie “Aqua” Calderon, RSG PH is in a race against time as they try to acclimate both John Paul “H2wo” Salonga and Dexter “Exort” Martinez in the starting group.
(C) MPL PH
“I’m focused on how I can have the perfect five players that I need to have the best chemistry together so that we can have a magandang season together,” Panda said during the Season 11 media day at the GAMA Studios in Makati.
Panda said that with the recent changes in the roster, the dynamics of the team will drastically change which is why he believes that the team still needs a bit more time to jell and play as a unit.
The Hall of Legends inductee even cited Blacklist International’s roster change back in Season Nine when Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna and Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario decided to sit out. The team ended up in seventh place with a 3-7 standing and missed the playoffs.
“This season our dynamic of course will change because we have two new [starting] players in Exort and H2wo. That doesn’t necessarily make us weak but we still need time to adjust so right now I’m not really focused on protecting the crown,” said the MPL PH champion coach.
“Sa totoo lang, it’s the same as Blacklist. For example, if Blacklist doesn’t have their original members, the power spike goes down. That’s a definite fact kahit any other teams.”
RSG PH had a fruitful campaign last year, taking home the Season Nine title before dominating their way into the MSC championship. The team then finished third in Season 10 to cap off the 2022 cycle of the MPL.
“I just want a good season with no drama, no [toxicity], everyone doing their best and with their best effort kesa tsamba. Like oy nag-champion tayo, sige MSC, gusto ko talaga ng magandang story sa chapter na ‘to ng RSG.”
