Pinoy war gets under way

Burn x Team Flash of Cambodia is looking to test its mettle against Filipino powerhouse Blacklist International when they collide in the group stage of the M4 Mobile Legends World Championship.

Jhonwin "Hesa" Vergara said he is thrilled to compete against Filipino superstars such as Danerie "Wise" Del Rosario and Johnmar "OhMyV33NUS" Villaluna in the tourney that is touted as the grandest stage of competitive Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in the world from 1 to 14 January in Jakarta.

"It is Filipino pride," said Vergara, the former Nexplay EVOS member who is now wreaking havoc for the Cambodian organization.

"I am excited to face Blacklist International again even though I am now in another country."

Bannered by another former Nexplay EVOS coach John Michael "Zico" Dizon, Brn x Team Flash punched a ticket to the prestigious 16-team tourney following its victorious performance in the MPL Cambodia Autumn 2022 last October.

Composed of Hesa, Kosal "ATM" Piseth, Sour "Celichma" Mara, Sok "C Cat" Roth, Ty "D7" Oudom, and Filipino player Michael "MP the King" Endino, Burn x Team Flash compiled a 9-3 scored in the Playoffs en route to winning the championship.

It was an overwhelming experience for Zico, not only because it was his first Mobile Legends Professional League championship but also qualified his team for a world championship in his first coaching stint overseas.

"I am so happy, I cannot even talk, I am so speechless," Zico said following his MPL triumph.

"I myself did not expect to win it that fast because I have only been in Cambodia for three months and one season with Burn X Flash."

"I am so speechless and it is hard for me to say anything to this day because it is yet to sink in that I am now a champion and there is now a title to my name."

Zico, however, admitted that the level of competition in Cambodia is child's play compared to the talent of gamers playing in Mobile Legends Professional League Philippines.

The squad is expected to have a handful in Group A of M4 as they are slated to face the three-time MPL Philippines champion and defending M-Series champion Blacklist, Falcon Esports, and Incendio Supremacy — teams that are capable of truly testing where Cambodia Mobile Legends is at in terms of play.