In the aftermath of TNC’s fall, Bennyqt relives the split-second decision that haunts him.
TNC Pro Team had a shining moment in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines (MPL PH) Season 16 Playoffs stage. They eliminated the former world champions, ONIC Philippines, to reach the Upper Bracket Final. This is the farthest the team has ever been since their 3rd place finish back in Season 9.
However, their fairytale run came to a halt after a heartbreaking 4-1 loss against Team Liquid PH (TLPH) in the Lower Bracket Final. What was supposed to be a redemption story ended in silence, a silence heavy with regret and self-blame. For Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales, that defeat wasn’t just about losing a match; it was about losing a moment he believed he could’ve changed.
In an exclusive interview with esports.gg, TNC's Bennyqt reflects on the play that defined their downfall, the lessons behind the heartbreak.
The moment it slipped away
It was the 5th round of the Bo7 match between TLPH and TNC. The Cavaliers only needed one more win to finish the series. As for the Phoenix Army, they were hoping to extend the series and turn things around.
At the 14-minute mark, TLPH came marching down the bot lane with a Lord push. Something had to be done on TNC’s side, or they risk losing their chance to extend the game. Frediemar "3MarTzy" Serafico and Justine "Zaida" Palma were covering both mid and top lane, trying to salvage what’s left of their inner turrets. The rest of the squad is holding off the Lord.
TNC Bennyqt saw an opportunity. But, at that moment, only he can see it. He hesitated for a second before going in for a play, only to be shut down by TLPH. Kiel "Oheb" Soriano grabbed him by the scythe on Ruby before Alston "Sanji" Pabico’s Lunox finished him off. Bennyqt was the supposed marksman carry of the team. Without him, the formation crumbled.
“I wanted to fight, so I asked my teammates if we were going in, but I waited for their answer. What I saw in that moment was different from what they saw. Looking back, I think my biggest regret was not deciding on my own. I know they would’ve trusted me no matter what. Maybe things would’ve gone differently.”
It’s the kind of moment that defines not just a match, but a player. For TNC Bennyqt, that brief hesitation, the pause between instinct and communication, became the split second that changed everything. You can watch the moment through the video link below:
After the loss, TNC’s room fell quiet.
“We haven’t really talked to each other after the series,” Bennyqt admitted. “I was really down and kept blaming myself for the loss. It was hard to even approach my teammates after what happened in that last fight.”
The weight of defeat doesn’t always come from losing to a stronger team. Sometimes, it comes from knowing you could’ve done better, that one small decision could’ve rewritten the ending. Just like that, TLPH sealed the win and went on to beat Aurora Gaming in the grand finals to win the MPL PH Season 16 trophy.
TNC Pro Team, a squad reborn
Despite the pain, TNC’s Season 16 campaign revealed something about their core identity.
“We’re the kind of team that, once we master a playstyle or a habit, we just keep building on it,” Bennyqt said. “During the regular season, we had good weeks and bad weeks. Sometimes we’d lose our rhythm. But in the playoffs, everyone was locked in. Every player stayed focused. Everyone was in line.”
And it showed. Against all odds, TNC marched past some of the strongest teams in the league, defying expectations in every match.
“Going into the playoffs, we weren’t the favorites; everyone expected Aurora to go further. Even against Twisted [Minds PH], people doubted we could win. But the team never listened to the noise. They believed in themselves, in each other, and in the coaches. That’s why we got this far.”
The weight of regret
For TNC Bennyqt, this loss feels heavier than most. He kept his composure while talking, but there was a hint of sadness and disappointment behind his emotionless face.
“I still can’t believe that I made that mistake,” he confessed. “We practiced for months for this moment, and it ended in defeat. I don’t even know how to fix it yet. During high-stakes games, there’s always something in my head I want to do, but I hesitate, and that’s when I get punished. It makes me look like I don’t know what I’m doing.”
He described Game 5 as his breaking point, the hardest to process.
“I knew we could win,” he said softly. “I told the team, if we could take Game 5, our adjustments for Game 6 would’ve been solid. But I had the ball in my hands and couldn’t take the shot. That’s what hurts the most.”
What comes next for Bennyqt
When asked what he plans to do now, TNC Bennyqt paused.
“For now, I’m still processing everything,” he said. “I can’t think of what’s next yet. Every time I lose a big series like this, I always feel like taking a break, maybe skip next season, maybe just rest for a while. I feel the same right now.”
It’s not the first time he’s been in this position. But as one of MPL PH’s most seasoned gold laners, Bennyqt knows that reflection is part of growth.
When asked to sum up TNC’s Season 16 story in a sentence or two, Bennyqt claims he only needs one word to describe the team. As for what word he would use, he didn’t hesitate:
“Poison.”
A fitting description, dangerous when underestimated, unpredictable when unleashed. TNC’s run this season wasn’t perfect, but it was potent. They reminded the league that even in the shadows, there’s venom waiting to strike. They almost made it in MPL PH Season 16. Can they do better next season? I guess we'll just have to find out.
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