ONIC mentor reflects on coaching, finals MVP awards in rousing MPL Indonesia campaign

MANILA, Philippines — Making his debut as ONIC Esports head coach in the recently concluded Mobile Legends Professional League-Indonesia (MPL ID), Coach Paul "Yeb" Miranda was happy to have been recognized by the league as the season's best coach.

Having first arrived in ONIC Esports last season, initially as an assistant coach but later on became an analyst so he could be a voice during drafting, Miranda told Philstar.com that though he was grateful for the award, it is not a requisite for being a great coach.

"Hindi nasusukat ng ganitong award yung pagiging magaling na coach. Parang none-bearing siya sa akin kasi ang gusto ko [na] magsasabi sa akin na best coach ako is yung mga nahawakan kong players. Sila yung nakakakita nun eh," said Miranda.

It is a sentiment echoed by his players, particularly former ONIC Philippines and now GeekFam standout Allen "Baloyskie" Baloy, who mentioned in a previous interview how Miranda helped him hone his leadership skills and still helps him out to this day even if they are on different teams. 

Baloy along with his former teammate and ONIC Esports jungler Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol, also won awards in MPL ID as the season's Best roamer and Jungler respectively — distinctions they also secured the previous season. 

Rayosdelsol, for his part, missed out on the Regular Season and Finals MVP plums this time — honors that were awarded to his teammate and ONIC midlaner, SANZ, much to the grievances of the some fans who sparked debates online.

"Actually medyo naiinis ako [dito]. Masaya ako na sinosoportahan nila si Kairi kasi Filipino si Kairi. Pero para apakan nila yung ibang tao, yung ibash or ihate yung ibang tao, mali yun. As Filipino, nahihiya ako na yung fans natin ganun," mentioned Miranda.

In ONIC Esports 4-0 win against EVOS Legends, Rayosdelsol almost came out unscathed, only registering one death throughout the series and was named MVP for Games 1 and 2.

Miranda adds, "One more thing, player ko yun. Doon sa five players na yun, ‘di nila alam sino mananalo. Ang nagbigay nun si MPL. Tapos ang titirahin [ng fans] yung nanalo. Anung kasalanan nung nanalo? Hindi nagme-make sense. Disappointed ako [sa nangyayari]. Lahat ng players ko nun were at the top of their game. Ako honestly, di ko alam kung sino mananalo at that time [as Finals MVP]. Kung sino man yung nanalo, masaya ako kasi deserve nila, ganun ka-simple.”

Besides the hate surrounding the finals MVP award, Miranda also expressed disappointment about how fans are underestimating ONIC's win.

"Binabash kami na hanggang Indo lang yan. Masaya ako na Pilipinas yung nanalo kasi Pilipino ako pero nakaklimutan ata ng tao na Pilipino rin kami. Tapos inu-underestimate nila yung ibang bansa which is hindi maganda. Kasi if ganuhin naman tayo ng ibang bansa, syempre nagagalit rin tayo. So ayaw mong mabash yung kapwa mo Pilipino, wag kang magspread ng hate," said Miranda.

Miranda and ONIC Esports will next see action in the revamped Mobile Legends Southeast Asia Cup (MSC), wherein teams from North America, MENA (Middle East and North Africa) and Turkey will be competing against the top squads in Southeast Asia. MSC 2023 will run from June 10-18 in Cambodia.