While the teams prepare for the MPL PH Season 8 playoffs, we caught up with Smart Omega’s Ch4knu for a quick interview about his time in MLBB.
For anyone who has followed the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang professional scene in Southeast Asia, they would have heard the name Ch4knu and instantly known exactly what to think. A player who has been in the Philippines scene for five seasons now, constantly pushing the envelope and seemingly never underwhelming. Although the MPL PH title has eluded Ch4knu, at only 20 years of age, the player has been in the top 4 since he joined the tournament, plus he has the MSC 2021 championship under his belt. While we await to see what Season 8 has in store for the Ch4kmamba, we got to ask him about his journey in MLBB, how he got here and where he sees himself in the future.
Hi Ch4knu, just in case anyone doesn’t know, can you tell us who you are?
Hello, my name is Joshua Mangilog and I play Mobile Legends: Bang Bang professionally for Smart Omega Esports.
How and when did you get started in MLBB?
I actually started playing about three years ago now. I saw my brother-in-law playing ML on his phone and was quite jealous of this, so I borrowed a phone and begun playing myself.
What was it that attracted you to the game and did you ever think you would become a pro player, idolized by millions?
My biggest attraction to the game is the ease of access I can have to it anywhere because it is on mobile. But even though I love the game, I never expected to be as popular as I am right now, it’s a blessing.
Continuing on from that, could you tell us about how you got into the MLBB professional scene prior to Execration, now Smart Omega?
It is quite the long story of how I got started with Execration. Basically, I used to be part of a group called “EoD” or Emissary of Despair. We were not a pro-team, just a squad that played ranked games together. From there, I was discovered by OBS Gaming, a clan of sorts, which had multiple teams. It was with OBS that I begun to really move up, as I made my way into their main roster – before we were sponsored by the one and only Alden Richards, a self-proclaimed MLBB addict.
Unfortunately, my original stay with OBS Gaming was not great, which boiled down to me leaving the MPL PH Season 3 qualifiers a few days before we were meant to compete in the event. Although I came back the night before, the damage was already done, and soon after we were eliminated by the later winners, ArkAngel, I parted ways with the team.
I took a break for a while after that, but once I started to join tournaments again, I was noticed once more – joining Dignitas Gaming first, before I landed in Execration, with some of the friends from OBS Gaming.
That really is quite the journey to the point you are at now. But I’m sure there must have been some setbacks along the way? Can you tell me a few of these and how you overcame them?
I’ve had many problems, but it took us many losses and heartbreak to get to where we are now. Roster changes are the toughest things for me, as the team I wanted to win with was the teammates I started with.
It must be tough to keep going after losses, but you seem to really pick yourself up and get on with it, as you have done this current MPL PH Season. So, with that, what are your current preparations for the Playoffs?
I think this one is fairly easy to answer, it is just practice, practice, practice. We have about eight hours a day of games, and then we still sit down and look at our replays and discuss strategies or issues. It’s all a big grind.
Well, we have seen just what you and the team are capable off after a long grind, so can you explain the feeling of winning MSC 2021 after losing to Blacklist in MPL PH Season 7’s grand finals?
When we lost to Blacklist, I couldn’t control my emotions. There was a lot of tension and getting that close was too much for me to handle. So, when we managed to avenge our loss, it was amazing. Especially considering how good Blacklist were and still are.
There’s a lot of nicknames we hear for you during MPL broadcasts. How did these come about and what do you think of them?
I really enjoy these nicknames and it feels great to have them because it shows that others believe in me and thinks that I am good enough to name my performances or hero-pool.
It’s always great to see you excel on some heroes, but what does the future hold for you? Do you plan on continuing to forge forward with MLBB as long as you can, or do you have other aspirations?
I really don’t have many plans right now, I just focus on what is in front of me and I want to play MLBB for as long as possible. I have many people in my life that are there to help me make choices relating to this, from a life coach within our team, to close friends too. But, for now, I just really enjoy playing MLBB.
And I know for a fact that many of us enjoy watching you play MLBB. With that, to end, do you have any words of wisdom for your fans, those wanting to get into the MLBB esports scene, and anyone else watching?
Firstly, I want to thank all of my fans for the support that you have given me through the highs and lows, I really appreciate it. For those who are aspiring to become professional players in MLBB, all I can say is to not give up, keep playing and keep enjoying the game. That is what is important.
You can catch Ch4knu in action this coming weekend at the MPL PH Season 8 Playoffs, where Smart Omega Esports will be fighting through the bracket from day 1, starting with an intense series against Echo. While we have no biases here, we are sure that everyone is holding thumbs for a Blacklist versus Smart Omega grand finals rematch – a decisive third series between the two teams to settle the question on everyone’s mind, although we could get a teaser for this if Omega can take a win early on.
