EXCLUSIVE: TNC esports not giving up on major title dreams

It may seem like a tall order for the Phoenix Army, but its commander-in-chief says the fight for a championship, whether in Dota 2 or MLBB, will continue.

In an exclusive interview with Fragster.com, TNC Group of Companies CEO Eric Redulfin says he is not keen on giving up the still-elusive dream of winning their first-ever MPL Philippines title.

“For me, it’s okay. It’s like a business. Sometimes, you don’t have time. So, don’t quit,” Redulfin said. “Just continue with your goal. Your goal is to win.”

And winning that elusive trophy in the Philippines’ most popular mobile esports league may take some more time and effort. Its best playoffs performance as of late was back in Season 9, when TNC Pro Team placed 3rd in the playoffs.

Since then, it has become a rough road for their journey to victory, having been dead last for four straight MPL Philippines seasons despite having different strategies and even roster numbers.

This recently concluded MPL Philippines Season 13 was no exception. Despite moving Ben “Benthings” Maglaque to the coaching position last season, and a strong opening win, the team has had limited success.

 

TNC Pro Team’s MLBB also just announced the release of analyst Robee “Yasuwo” Pormocille from the team.

This, Redulfin says, is just part of adjustments that the fans can expect from TNC coming into the season.

Among this, Redulfin first told Fragster, is a coaching change for TNC Pro Team’s MLBB squad, as well as focusing on only one main roster and an extra sub.

“Of course, we haven’t hit the chemistry of the team yet. But hopefully, this year, we’ll be able to improve. It’s not really good, if you look at it. But, are we going to stop? Of course not. So, we want to go there. It’s not just our time,” Redulfin said.

Redulfin also revealed exclusively to Fragster that he was offered by at least three Esports World Cup teams to loan the TNC Pro Team franchise slot in MPL Philippines.

Boss Eric revealed that he refused all three offers, sticking to keeping his slot under TNC Pro Team’s ownership.

“It’s not good for the sports community. Because of course, we’ve been here. We are protecting the industry,” Redulfin said in the vernacular. “We are one of the organizations that gives the image of esports in the Philippines. And suddenly, that (giving away your slot) happens. For me, it’s not yet time. I’m not closing my doors, but  for now, As far as I can, we will fight for it.”

 

He explains, running this team is like taking a gamble in business. 

“I want to make people realize that no matter what effort you put in, if you don’t give it time, you won’t be successful. The lesson here is the same with the business. Not because you run a business, you’re sure that you’ll make a profit. But you shouldn’t quit that easily,” Mr Redulfin revealed.

 

The same holds true for TNC’s Dota 2 team, now known as TNC Predator. Being formed in 2013, its last TI, or The International, was way back in 2019, where they placed 9th to 12th. The team has gone through several iterations and roster changes as well, until in December 2022, it announced it was taking a break from the competitive scene.

Almost two years later, it has prepared its comeback, this time acquiring some key experienced players for its squad: Jinn “Palos” Rumatao, Yuri “Yowe” Pacana, Joshua “Kokz” Mariano, John Rey “Jing” Duyan, and the returning Carlo “Kuku” Palad.

Redulfin reveals his goal of bringing home an Aegis is still alive, but this time, he tried a different strategy in rebuilding the legendary TNC Predator name in Dota 2 esports.

“So, what happened was, we’ll try (again), what we should do is find new talents. What happened was, these players, Kuku, they already know Kuku. He approached us.”

“When I discussed it with them, it’s like they’re agreeing. You should only want to win. You don’t have any other focus other than winning. If that’s what you want, we’ll support you. So, what’s happening to us here is a partnership,” Redulfin says, saying that he’s not a fan of cherrypicking players just because of the skills they have in the game.

 

Redulfin believes that while money is the main motivator, he’s looking for players who can share the same mindset of growing and learning with the team together to form his esports squads.

“Automatically, you’ll be motivated by money. But for you to perform at the top level is something else,” he says.

Getting to that top level may either remain a dream or a reality, as the first half of the year’s major tournaments are either on the tailend or just about to begin. TNC’s MLBB team is competing at the ESL Snapdragon Pro Series Open Finals, while the TNC Predator Dota 2 team is competing at the Riyadh Open Qualifiers.

Despite the noise, sir Eric, known in the TNC family as “EMR”, says that at the end of the day, his core motivation is to set an example that a Filipino esports company can make it to the world stage.

“I want to make an example,” he says. “We’re fighting, rising like the proverbial phoenix, rising from the dead.”

When asked about if he’s still hoping that his esports teams can win either the Sunburst Shield of MLBB and Dota 2’s Aegis, EMR only had one answer in mind.

“I guarantee them, the community, that’s for sure. In the NBA, one team even took 40 years to win.”

 

And whether or not TNC’s teams in MLBB and Dota 2 can replicate what the Golden State Warriors did in 2020 remains to be seen, as their teams gear up for local and international competition. – PAOLO BARCELON, FRAGSTER.COM