Heavily decorated for club and country, Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno has one last Mobile Legends trophy to win on his list.
There are few esports players more successful than Team Liquid PH’s Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, as a two-time world champion and a four-time winner in MPL Philippines.
But after TLPH’s latest conquest in MPL Philippines Season 15, KarlTzy now sets his eyes on something that has long been elusive for the 20-year-old — a championship in the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC).
KarlTzy has been to the MSC twice now, with a third chance looming later this year. But the best he’s achieved is a third-place finish back in 2023, where then-ECHO Philippines finished on the podium.
As successful as he is, KarlTzy wants to complete his trophy collection — considering that he’s also decorated as part of the national team, with a SEA Games gold medal to his name.
The MSC, which will be held during the Esports World Cup, will be the last hurdle that KarlTzy has to conquer to consider himself fulfilled in his career.
Speaking after helping Team Liquid PH dethrone ONIC Philippines at the MPL Philippines Season 15 Grand Finals, KarlTzy had nothing but motivation left to finally nab a title that has remained out of reach for him.
[READ: Team Liquid exact sweet revenge on ONIC Philippines to win MPL PH Season 15 crown]
“Nakakatuwa lang kasi paulit-ulit lang din eh. Parang same feeling din eh,” KarlTzy said of the win.
“Tapos, 'yun, 'yung pinakagusto ko talaga 'yung MSC. Kasi kahit nag-champion ako, pag 'di ko makuha 'yung MSC, parang ganun na naman. Ulit na naman 'yung cycle eh, kaya MSC talaga 'yung gustong-gusto ko,” he added.
Despite his eagerness, KarlTzy wasn’t one to be overconfident — especially considering that the competition will be tough, and the pressure will be on the Philippines to regain the crown, after falling to Malaysia's Selangor Red Giants.
“Mga 50 percent po. Kung kasama ONIC, siguro, mga 80 percent,” KarlTzy said of the Philippines’ chances to come home with the crown.
“Kasi para sakin, sila 'yung pinakamalakas [yung ONIC]. Kasi sa lahat kasi ng game, Game 7, parang sila 'yung nagli-lead nung game eh. Parang control nila lahat. 'Yun lang 'yung tingin ko. Tapos natalo namin sila. So feel ko, may mas ilalakas pa sila,” he added.
Still, after such a tremendous showing in their seven-game conquest of ONIC, there is no doubting KarlTzy and the rest of TLPH that they can surely make a case for the crown and hopefully, just hopefully, complete KarlTzy’s career targets.