MPL PH coaches weigh in on roster shuffles and how it works (or not) in high-level MLBB competition

Coaches of different teams in the best-performing MLBB esports region in the world have varied reactions to the ongoing roster shuffling tactics fielded by other teams.

The move has been popularized by Smart Omega, who used a full roster shuffle in their Week 2 outing against ONIC Philippines. In that match, coach Ronel “Stronger” Tan substituted their New Bloods lineup of Gabriel “Louis” Ariola, Ron “Matt” Papag, Ryan “Rayl” Asaoka, Christian “West” Mangabay and Mark “Marked” Florencio for the all-veteran lineup of John Paul “H2WO” Salonga, Dexter “Exort” Martinez, Carlito “Ribo” Ribo, Nowee “Ryota” Macasa, and Jomari “Jowm” Pingol.

However, the gamble did not pay off well for Omega, as they lost this match against ONIC, 2-0.

 

They also lost out against Blacklist International, 2-0, with their all-veteran lineup. This prompted Coach Stronger to announce that they will field a new strategy for Week 3.

“It was challenging for them [the veterans] because H2WO just came back, as well as Exort. Ribo swapped roles, so that’s why they need more time to play,” Coach Stronger told reporters in their post-match presser after the OMG vs BLCK match. He also noted that the New Bloods team as a whole do not have that much problems in terms of chemistry, as they have been playing together as a team in MDL Philippines.

When asked about how the entire strategy was born, Coach Stronger stated in the vernacular, “we started around 3 months prior, before the main tournaments started. So we shuffled everything and decided on two teams: Rayl’s team and H2WO’s team. We looked at it and maybe this time, we will check on other approaches.

Some coaches in MPL Philippines are very much open to try such a setup, and have already done so but with minimal changes to their main fives.

MINANA Evos head coach Christian “Bitoy” Casten said he’s open to trying a roster shuffle. So far, only his main five players, composed of Jann “Kirk” Gutierrez, Ken “Kzen” Pile, Lance “LanceCy” Cunanan, Dominic “Domeng” del Mundo, and Brian “Spider-Milez” Santos have played, with the other five including Hall of Legends inductee Jeniel “YellyHaze” Bata-anon yet to see playing time.

“In the two weeks before the MPL resumes, we will be able to plan if we can make the roster changes if ever,” he told reporters. 

He adds, the main factor he considers in forming a new roster is the team’s unpredictability.  

“If there is a new roster, what i want is that other coaches don’t read what their picks are, and what lineup composition will be if 3 players come in or one gets replaced,” Coach Bitoy says.

 

As for TNC Pro Team and rookie coach Ben “Benthings” Maglaque, he will let all seven of his players share the stage in the league. After at least five seasons in the MPL, Coach Benthings says he believes that a good fusion of veterans and rookies can help in improving team synergy.

“The veteran advantage in-game makes the difference,” Benthings says. He explains how their team dynamics work, such as the advice Jaylord “Hate” Gonzales gives to fellow midlaner Jetson “Goyo” Ignacio – with Hate having international and local experience, and Goyo already playing on his second MPL-PH season.

“All my players will play. As to what role, I’ll let them guess. But for sure, they should watch out. Goyo will play. We prepared for this before the MPL even began. They already have a schedule – to where they’re fit, I will put them in.”

 

The same mix of rookies and veterans is what Blacklist International coach and M3 World Champion Kristoffer “Bon Chan” Ricaplaza believes is what he and the Blacklist coaching staff are using right now. On Day 2 of week 2 last March 23rd, Kim “Kimpoy” dela Cruz played as roamer, substituting for team captain Salic “Hadji” Imam.

“As much as possible, we try to give Kimpoy playing time. Who knows, he can bring something that can change the way our team plays,” Coach Bon Chan told reporters. “That’s why we give him ample playing time to see what he’s capable of.”

The veteran coach added some advice for other teams, saying, “If they will have roster changes, maybe they need to consider who has the capability to lead the team. That’s the most important, as well as who can be the veteran and rookie that a team can add. It’s okay to have rookies in the team because rookies have yet or never encountered crucial errors yet in their plays, so they play strong and take risks. That’s why it’s a good combination: rookies, veterans, and most importantly, a leader who can lead a team.”

 

And it is this bench of MPL and MDL veterans that Bon Chan’s M4 World Championship rival and ECHO Head Coach, Archie “Tictac” Reyes that had proven to work wonders for the Orcas.

In their Week 2 Day 3 match against TNC Pro Team, Justine “Zaida” Palma and Jhonville “Outplayed” Villar subbed up against two of the team’s most experienced veterans: Outplayed swapped for Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales in the gold lane, and Zaida played the exp lane traditionally reserved for Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno.

Outplayed and Zaida are no strangers to high-level MLBB – being part of the main roster themselves (Zaida in Season 10, Outplayed in Seasons 9 &10) and have led their developmental team, ECHO Proud, to back-to-back MDL Philippines titles.

The M4 world champion coach said, “It’s a big factor [having an all-veteran lineup], because the veterans, they only need minimal adjustments, and they will get it.”

Coach Tictac adds, they really worked hard to make sure that team chemistry is seamless regardless of which player is working in whatever position. “Before we formed the lineup, we were already able to form that chemistry. So we know who fits each other.”

ECHO continues its unblemished 4-0 slate heading into week number 3.

ECHO’s former assistant coach – and now AP Bren’s technical coach, Robert “Trebor” Sanchez, though, is not keen on any roster substitutions for his newfound team.

He believes one team is enough for any MPL roster to succeed – and thus, also believes that they should instead invest in making that main team work.

“I’ve been through that strategy before when I was in ECHO, so I think it’s not effective especially when you’re heading to the Playoffs. You will lose time and momentum in practice, and the main five’s attention may be divided.”

 

The reigning MPL and World Champions also have an unblemished 4-0 record, and are currently undefeated in the standings.

MPL Philippines matches will return on April 5th following a one-week break in observance of the Lenten season in the Philippines.