Season 12 of MPL Philippines is looking very competitive.
There were quite a number of shakeups during the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines offseason, as teams look to dislodge Season 11 champion ECHO.
Here are the biggest moves for MPL Philippines Season 12.
Blacklist International: VeeWise takes a break
In a stunning announcement on Thursday, Blacklist announced their famed duo of Johnmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna and Danerie James "Wise" Del Rosario will skip Season 12 to take a much-needed break.
However, Blacklist will still have plenty of veterans with the return of gold laner Kiel "Oheb" Soriano, roamer Salic "Hadji" Imam, and coach Kristoffer "BON CHAN" Ricaplaza, who took a break last season.
Coach BON CHAN vowed a "completely different identity" for the Agents after they were decoded yet again by ECHO.
Smart Omega: Do the legends still have what it takes?
Smart Omega failed to reach the playoffs of MPL Philippines Season 11 after they were swept by Blacklist International in the play-ins.
They responded by signing heavyweights of the Philippine MLBB scene in MPL Philippines Hall of Legends inductee and M2 World Champion Carlito Ribo Jr., along with the returning Joshua "Ch4knu" Mangilog and Patrick "E2max" Caidic as a player.
RSG Philippines: Going with the flow with H2wo's break, Aqua's return
After winning Season 9 and finishing third twice in a row in Seasons 10 and 11, RSG Philippines will be switching things up.
Arvie "Aqua" Calderon will come back as midlaner and will be bolstered by standout jungler John Darry "Irrad" Abarquez. Meanwhile, former jungler John Paul "H2wo" Salonga will take a break.
Defending champion ECHO will be keeping its core intact, bolstered by returning veteran Jaypee Dela Cruz.
SIBOL representatives AP.Bren will also be keeping its main players, with Mumukid entering as the rookie midlaner to back up Angelo "Pheww" Arcangel.
ONIC Philippines will be looking to break into the playoffs after signing jungler Dean Christian "Raizen" Sumagui, midlaner Jomarie "Escalera" Santos, EXP laners Mark Genzon "Kramm" Rusiana and Jem "ONIC Jem" Lañojan, along with roamers John "Perkz" Sumawan, Czedrick Jaylord "Yoshinu" Romero, and the returning Ralph "Rapidoot" Adrales.
Minana EVOS, the partnership of Nexplay EVOS and Minana Esports, also announced its lineup for Season 12.
Notably, Jniel "YellyHazeAR" Bata-anon will now be part of the coaching staff.
Meanwhile, TNC will be looking to rise from last place with Mark Laurence "Bao" Cabigting.
Former gold laner Robee "Yasuwo" Pormocille will now become an analyst for the squad.
With all the player switches and familiar faces either taking a break or returning to action, Season 12 is fast shaping up to be the most intriguing in recent memory. It will likely be very competitive as well.
(MDB)