Fresh off their Mid Season Cup 2025 championship, Team Liquid PH players are using the spotlight to speak up for their most criticized teammate, Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz.

An MPL veteran who has been around since Season 2, Jaypee has long been the target of online criticism. The hate intensified after he took over the roamer role previously held by fan favorite Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera.

When Team Liquid PH lost, fans blamed Jaypee. A misplay? Jaypee’s fault. Over time, he became the scapegoat for nearly every stumble, whether or not he was actually at fault.

Fueling the backlash was Jaypee’s real-life relationship with Team Liquid PH country manager Mitch Liwanag, with critics claiming his spot on the roster was because of favoritism. At one point, the noise got so loud that Jaypee considered walking away from the game.

But he did not. Instead, Jaypee stayed the course with his team, helping them capture two MPL PH titles and now, the prestigious MSC 2025 championship, along with the tournament’s $1,000,000 grand prize.

For his teammates, the victory is more than a trophy. It is proof that Jaypee belongs.

“When he wanted to quit I did not know why he wanted to quit. He is a huge help to us because of his experience as a player, we can always outplay everyone in the mid [lane]. We are always ahead because he is such a good player,” said MPL PH Season 15 MVP Alston “Sanji” Pabico.

MSC 2025 Finals MVP Sanford "Sanford" Vinuya echoed the sentiment, urging fans to finally give Jaypee the respect he deserves.

“For me, he is a high IQ player. This is a statement to the bashers that they need to stop and start appreciating him,” Sanford stated.

Team Liquid PH's newest recruit, Kiel “Oheb” Soriano, also stood by his teammate, not just as a player, but as a person.

“To those bashing dad [Jaypee], he’s a genuinely kind person on and off the game,” Oheb said. “Since becoming his teammate, I haven’t seen anything bad from him. He’s a really good person.”

With a world-class title under their belt and the team fully behind him, Jaypee’s redemption arc is now complete — and Team Liquid PH is making it clear: the hate stops here.