Chery Tiggo captain Aby Maraño offered sage advice on viewing esports athletes in a different light amid rising opportunities in the field.
Professional volleyball player and self-confessed Mobile Legends: Bang Bang fan Aby Maraño had a lot to say about the similarities and differences she had with those playing professional MLBB as she visited the MPL Philippines playoffs on Saturday, October 19.
Maraño, who said she has been following the game — and the league — for five years now, offered her perspective on popular stereotypes about gamers.
Understanding what it takes to be an elite athlete at her level, the Chery Tiggo Crossovers captain said that even as they were operating on different levels as athletes, there were also similarities in the way that they sacrifice a lot for their respective performances.
“I guess, different stereotype ng mga tao is pag sports dapat it has to do with physical games, but this one is really different. Kasi I got to play this sport, hindi siya madali. Ang hirap talaga to strategize mentally, ang dami mong sakripisyo,” Maraño said on a broadcasted interview with Mara Aquino at Green Sun Makati.
“So given that fact na itong mga atleta na to, hindi basta basta yung binibigay nila, they put in [the] work for playing this sport, dapat hindi natin sila i-look down, or hindi iangat. Lalo na sa PIlipinas. Kasi ngayon nakikilala na talaga yung sport ng Mobile Legends," she added.
The similarities also don’t end there for Maraño and the MLBB pro players, as they’ve also both experienced representing the flag.
From the SEA Games to M-Series World Championships, pro players in the MLBB scene are also given the special honor of having the Philippines crest on their chests as they fly the banner of Philippine sports.
Having understood the importance of their games with a spot in international tournaments also at stake, Maraño had nothing but good words for the players, which also included her good friend Renejay Barcase of Aurora Gaming.
“Ang alam ko po kung sino yung mananalo dito will represent the country and I too was part of the national team before so congrats na kaagad kung sino mananalo and ibigay niyo lahat para sa bansang PIlipinas,” she said.
The MPL PH Season 14 Playoffs will conclude on Sunday with the Grand Finals again at Green Sun Makati.