It has been 4 days since SGNDT'12 crowned it's new champ and we had a chance to have a little chat with the VP-Marketing of Mineski International, Inc. and GMPGL Commisioner, Mr. Marlon 'Lon' Marcelo.
One of the most explosive E-Sports personalities in and out of the country shares his thoughts on PH's latest accomplishments and the future of Philippines in the E-Sports world.
First of all what were your thoughts on PH's accomplishments this SMM?
-"I'm very happy for them. To win SMM and to bring home 1.4 million pesos (1st to 4th) is a very good Christmas gift for all of them."
With the absence of the Chinese powerhouses, specially the defending champs iG, did you already see this coming?
-"I just knew that our PH teams are prepared for SMM. But to dominate it so well is beyond my expectation. I'm sure MPGL has made an impact to all the teams that participated because our class S team's goal is to participate to an international event and really test how far they will go.
If they somehow competed, do you think the results will be different?
-"Maybe, but I still think 1 PH team will reach the finals.'
Did you expect an iZone-eMaxx finals?
-"No. To tell you the truth my finals prediction was Dreamz vs Emaxx."
Were you satisfied with your DotA squad finishing 3rd place yet again?
-"I'm from Mineski Events Team and my real bet for this is Dreamz. We are in the same company but the events team stays neutral for this kind of questions. I think our gaming team is really happy because they sent a dota2 squad and made it to 3rd."
With this probably the last DotA tournament that SMM would be hosting, is there a possibility that the GMPGL would be shifting to Dota 2 as well?
-"We will see. I'm still in vacation right now and can't really comment on the subject."
Do you think that Pag-ibig.TnC will be an instant contender if GMPGL shifts to Dota 2?
-"If GMPGL has DotA 2, I believe that our teams will be more competitive. Teams like TNC and MI.HyperX can't really relax because pro-teams from DotA1 will swarm them sooner or later."
Where do you see PH 2-3 years from now?
-"I see E-sports in PH will grow more and it will also be accepted slowly by our conservative society. We still have long ways to go, but I'm proud to say that MPGL has been a driving force for the local scene to really flourish. If you look at the local teams, now they have sponsors and can now attend international events. It is way better than last time."
Thank you so much, any messages or anyone you want to thank?
-"Shout-outs to my Mineski Family, MET crew, KTS peeps, Head office peeps and to everyone involved in PH e-sports industry. To our PH bobidee fans, Easy Krissy lang! Celebrate victory in a humble way, we still have long ways to go...just celebrate stop trollin = )"
