KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Red Giants (SRG) coach Michael Angelo Bocado wants his team to recapture the glory of their historic 2024 international triumph as they pursue an elusive world title.
Fresh from winning a sixth consecutive Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Malaysia (MPL MY) crown on Sunday, the Filipino tactician is looking beyond domestic success to restore the team’s standing on the world stage.
That standing suffered after a poor showing at the Mid Season Cup x Esports World Cup in July, where they recorded their worst international finish since winning the tournament two years ago.
The 2024 champions and 2025 runners-up failed to reach the knockout stage this year, finishing joint ninth to 12th following a 2-0 defeat to Indonesia’s ONIC.
It was a sharp contrast to their landmark triumph in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an achievement Bocado wants his squad to replicate.
“We’re going to do everything that we can to achieve what we achieved in 2024, the glory, the pride, and we’re going to give our hearts out,” Bocado said in a post-match interview.
He was speaking after SRG edged Team Rey 4-3 in the Season 18 Grand Final at Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara on Sunday.
Team Rey pushed the defending champions to the limit, levelling the score three times before the holders settled the contest in the seventh game.
With the title retained, the team’s next objective is to break through the semi-final barrier at the M-Series World Championship, where they finished third at both M6 in 2024 and M7 in January.
Bocado has experienced that outcome three times as a coach, having also guided Indonesia’s RRQ Hoshi to third place at M4 in 2023.
“Last time we were third in the M-Series, and we want to be better,” he said.
“If we have to sacrifice our holidays, we will do it because it’s all going to be worth it.”
Bocado said he was also confident about Malaysia’s prospects following Team Rey’s spirited display in the domestic final.
“I believe that we have two strong representatives,” he said.
Both teams will represent Malaysia at the M8 World Championship in Istanbul, Turkiye, in January.