INSTANT GYM RATS — Physical conditioning sparks AP Bren success

Being in tip-top shape had prompted AP Bren to win the title in the Mobile Legends Professional League Philippines Season 12.

AP Bren coach Francis "Ducky" Glindro told Daily Tribune that they had to tweak their approach by putting premium on physical conditioning to win the MPL title for the first time since Season 6.

"There were two different approaches that I did to the team. One, obviously, was the goal-setting. It was a moving target and I told them that it was going to be a very long year. Back in February, I told them that this is going to be a hell of a year and I hope they understand," Glindro said in an interview.

Aside from Glindro, also part of AP Bren are team captain Angelo Kyle "Pheww" Arcangel, Kyle "KyleTzy" Sayson, Rowgien "Owgwen" Unigo, Marco Stephen "Super Marco" Requitano, David "Flap" Canon, and David "Pando" Unigo.

AP Bren had the busiest schedule among teams that competed in the previous season.

From the Sibol Qualifier in January to representing the country in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, bagging the gold medal in the 2023 IESF World Championship, and a lot of scrimmages in between, the team had all the reasons to feel burnt out.

Glindro said instead of just holding their mobile phones, they decided to pump irons at the gym while taking supplements, which eventually became a vital routine that led to their success.

"All of a sudden, they were trying to imitate what I do in terms of physical fitness," Glindro said.

"They also went to the gym and found joy in working out. They had to take care of themselves. I recommend stacking supplements and vitamins. Luckily, it worked, though it was just an experiment for me."

"The players were surprised because the vitamins I gave them all worked really well for all of them. The gym became a stress-reliever. Every time we lose or have a bad day, we all work out and stress it out. Once they get back, everything is okay again."

Their newfound habit being instant gym rats paid dividends.

Straight from winning the IESF World Championship in Romania, AP Bren came charging to the opening day of the MPL regular season and won their first match against TNC Pro Team. Six weeks of the regular season saw the team end its run as second seed that got them an upper bracket spot in the Playoffs.

There was no stopping AP Bren from there.

Unlike the last season where they failed to win a series, they won every match in the Playoffs this time around on their way to capturing the MPL Championship. And while a bigger task awaits AP Bren in the upcoming M5 World Championship in December, Ducky said the team has earned a break before they resume the grind.

"We will definitely take a break because Super Marco has not gone home for like a year. He wanted to take a week off to go home to Baguio and spend time with his family," Glindro said.