TNC Pro Team Yawi thinks Dogie may be moving on outside of esports and is looking to end the MPL PH Season 15 on a high note.
TNC Pro Team is built differently this year. The squad consistently defeated other teams like Twisted Minds and AP Bren in the first two weeks of MPL PH Season 15. While they did lose to ONIC PH, it’s understandable, considering they are the M5 World Champions.
Needless to say, the Phoenix squad is no longer the 8th-place dwellers they were a few seasons ago. Their recent rise can largely be attributed to the intervention of Naser "Dogie" Mollazehi, one of the most iconic figures in the MLBB esports scene.
Dogie's contributions to the MLBB league in the Philippines are undeniable. He founded and managed teams like Aether and Nexplay back when the scene was still small and running an esports team was expensive. Years have passed, and the league is now in its 15th season, yet he continues to guide young talents into the big leagues now by helping manage TNC Pro Team.
In a post-match press conference, Tristan "Yawi" Cabrera, TNC’s standout roamer, shared how having Dogie back as his mentor has been a huge factor in the team's success. However, he can't shake the feeling that the iconic face of MLBB PH might be stepping away from esports soon to focus on his personal life.
Yawi Senses a change in Dogie’s approach to TNC Pro Team
Yawi is one of the players who has been with Dogie since the Nexplay days. He, along with Renejay "Renejay" Barcase and John "H2wo" Salonga, formed the Big Three—a trio that became the face of Nexplay Esports during its rise in the MLBB competitive scene.
A lot has changed since Nexplay left the scene and the trio went separate ways. This is why when Dogie lent TNC Pro Team a hand and acquired Yawi, it felt like a reunion of sorts—one that reignited the spark of their past success.
With Dogie’s guidance, Yawi has once again found himself in a system that understands his strengths, allowing him to thrive and help elevate TNC to new heights this season. However, the standout roamer shared how he felt Dogie has changed how he deals with the players this season.
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"Actually po, nung una pa lang, napansin ko na agad na parang nag-iba po siya this season. Kasi nung kinausap niya po ako nung unang pagkuha niya sa akin, kung paano po siya magsalita, parang sobrang focused po niya talaga this season. Tapos, parang iba talaga yung passion niya ngayon—sa amin, sa TNC. Kaya ayun po, nasabi ko na iba po talaga siya this season bilang boss po namin." he shared.
Translation: Actually, from the very beginning, I already noticed that he seemed different this season. When he first talked to me after recruiting me, the way he spoke—it felt like he was really focused this season. And his passion feels different too, for us, for TNC. That’s why I said that he’s really different this season as our boss.
When asked what he thinks could be the reason for Dogie's change, Yawi explained that it might be because Dogie is preparing to close his chapter in the esports scene soon.
"Feel ko po kasi, parang malapit na po siyang umalis sa esports. Ayun po yung nafefeel ko, kaya ayaw niyang sayangin yung chance habang nandito pa siya. Siyempre, tumatanda na rin po si Boss D (Dogie) at may iba na siyang priorities. Kaya parang sinusulit na lang niya yung time niya sa esports." Yawi explained.
Translation: "I feel like he might be leaving esports soon. That’s what I feel, which is why he doesn’t want to waste the chance while he’s still here. Of course, Boss D (Dogie) is getting older, and he has other priorities now. That’s why it seems like he’s making the most of his time in esports."
If Dogie is indeed looking to end his journey in the esports scene soon, he seems determined to leave on a high note. He is making sure that TNC Pro Team reaches its full potential before he moves on to other priorities. Whether he stays or departs, his legacy in MLBB will remain, having helped define and elevate the Philippine esports scene for years to come.
You can watch the press conference for TNC Pro Team for MPL PH Season 15 Week 2 Day 2 below.
Stay tuned to esports.gg for more esports news and MLBB coverage.
