Kristoffer “BON CHAN” Ricaplaza is poised to make his return to Blacklist International as an assistant coach following a one-season break, as announced by the team last Thursday.
BON CHAN will be joining head coach Aniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani’s coaching staff, which also includes Dexter “DEX STAR” Alaba and Justin “Calad” Limbo.
The three-time MPL PH champion coach mentioned that he took a break during Season 11 to focus on his other passions and to spend more time with his family. BON CHAN has been part of the scene since Season 2.
“Sobrang saya. Sobrang sarap sa feeling makapag bakasyon dahil marerealize mo na ang dami pang bagay outside work na talagang mae-explore mo,” said Bon Chan during the MPL PH media day at Gama Studios.
“Talagang sinagad ko yung pag-travel, pag-momotovlog sa iba’t-ibang lugar sa Pilipinas and nakasama ko ng wagas yung family ko,” he added.
BON CHAN actually cut his break short by joining the team in the ESL Snapdragon Pro Series, seeing it as an opportunity to help build up the roster without stars Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna and Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario.
He also used it as personal preparation for the upcoming MPL PH battles.
“Kahit di pa talaga ako pinapabalik noong time ng ESL, talagang umano (bumalik) na ako kasi magandang opportunity yung ESL, para sa mga bagong tryout,” said BON CHAN.
“Although pahinga ako noong panahon na yon, pumunta ulit ako sa bootcamp para sabihin na ‘Tara sali tayo, try natin yung mga bago para kahit papano ma-gauge natin kung sakaling magawan ng drastic changes,‘” he continued.
The player-turned-coach mentioned that their early preparations gave them a significant advantage heading into Season 12, especially since they are planning to field a relatively new roster.
“Magandang advantage namin is nagkaroon kami ng mahabang oras para gawin yung line-up na ito dahil after noong MSC talagang nagpatry-out na kami,” he explained.
“Nagpa-tryout talaga kami and naghanap talaga kami ng mga bagong players na magiging fit sa sistema namin, yung tinuturo namin and kinaganda pa yung mga bagong players ngayon halos magkakaedad so pare-pareho sila ng play, pare-pareho sila ng hilig. So talagang, mapapabilis yung pagbuo ng chemistry,” he added.
