MLBB: AP.Bren gearing up for Games of the Future 2024

Current MLBB World Champions AP.Bren are hoping to open their 2024 campaign with a win in the international stage following their second M-series world championship last year.

AP.Bren head coach Francis “Ducky” Glindro told Fragster.com in a phone interview that their current squad – composed of team captain and Mid laner Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel, jungler Michael Angelo “KyleTzy” Sayson, gold laner Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano, roamer Rowgien “Owgwen” Unigo, and exp laners David “FlapTzy” Canon and Vincent “Pando” Unigo – are all motivated to bring home another win for the black and gold.

“I think there’s a 90% chance that another Filipino will emerge as champion for Games of the Future,” Coach Ducky said. “I’m very optimistic, really, going into the Games of the Future since we have the momentum of M5. I hope it continues… I’d say chances are pretty good.”

AP.Bren is one of two Filipino teams invited to the Games of the Future MLBB tournament – the other being their MPL Philippines Season 12 rivals, Blacklist International.

Coach Ducky says, this tournament is part of their preparations for MPL Philippines Season 13.

“We’re training for two tournaments. Right after we ride from Russia, after a week, it will be MPL already,” he said.

Amid the current “rostermania” of MLBB players, the lead tactician of the Hive said, he remains indifferent and would like to focus on their team’s performance in the upcoming global tilt.

“Honestly, it’s part of the esports life – that you cycle through things so you can figure out what’s wrong and what’s right. I’m actually hoping to see if a new challenger will emerge,” he said.

Coach Ducky also says AP.Bren was surprised when news of the MSC 2024 prize pool went out. The 2024 edition of the now-renamed Mid-Season Cup is set to have a US$3 million total prize pool.

Games of the Future, which will be held in Kazan, Russia, will have a US$1 million pot.

He adds, this makes the current World Champions more motivated to succeed.

“They (AP.Bren players) were really happy. They have the momentum, they have the grit for it – to win it all,” he said. “Players highly motivated by money is one of the best players out there – you’d be a hypocrite if you say you don’t play for money, I don’t play for money,” he said.

COACH DUCKY: CHINA CAN BECOME A “FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH” IN GLOBAL MLBB

Fragster.com  asked Coach Ducky about the other regions participating in the Games of the Future tournament, and who he believes is the one to be watched out for in the worldwide MLBB scene.

The veteran lead tactician said, he’s eyeing on one of the newest regions in MLBB – China.
“It was China that I’m looking forward to. It’s definitely not in the next few months, it’s gonna be – I honestly feel that after a year, they’re gonna be a force to be reckoned with,” Coach Ducky said. “No specific team (from China) – but definitely someone or some team from China that can definitely come out swinging and I do hope that someone is, or that particular team, is someone that we can share the stage with,” he adds.

Ducky hopes, this entry of China to the MLBB market can help drive a new challenger other than teams from the Philippines and Indonesia.

Chinese team Keep Best Gaming (KBG) is the lone Chinese MLBB team invited for the said tournament. KBG was also part of the M5 World Championship Wild Cards, where they placed 21st-22nd.

Chinese regulators officially allowed MLBB in the country last April 2023.

Games of the Future will be held from February 26-March 2 in Kazan, Russia. It will also feature teams from Singapore, Malaysia, EECA, Indonesia, Turkiye, and the Mekong region.