Hadji's evolution: From Jungler "KDA Machine" to Tank "KDA King"

Prior to Season 8, Salic “Hadji” Imam once earned the moniker "KDA machine" due to his superb mechanical ability in securing kills as Omega Esports' jungler.

But after his former team disbanded following a dismal Season 7 showing, he found his home at Blacklist International where he was assigned as the team's support/tank.

And the stellar player that he is, he embraced the new role and was still a dominant force throughout the season en route to being proclaimed the Season MVP and Grand Finals MVP.

Asked about his major adjustments with this new role coming into Season 8, Hadji only had one thing in mind.

"Inadjust ko yung mindset ko. Iba kasi yung mindset ng core (jungler) sa tank. Mindset yung binago ko kung paano mag-rotate yung tank," he said.

He was also very thankful to his teammates for his achievements this season.

"Nakatulong sakin yung mga kakampi ko kasi nung bago pa lang ako makapasok sa Blacklist, nag-iistruggle ako sa pag-adjust ko. Di nila ako dinown, chineer-up nila ako," he added.

And with his experience formerly as a jungler, where he had the chance to battle against the top junglers from around the world in his M2 stint earlier this year for Omega, the strategies for disruptions against opposing jungler was seamless for him.

"May lamang ako sa kalaban ko kasi alam ko yung ginagawa ng jungler. Kaya ko pahirapan yung jungler nila," claimed Hadji.

Indeed, his presence on the Blacklist roster was a huge upgrade as the team found a flexible support/tank that also could rack up kills when needed as evident with his "killer" Grock and Yve performances in the grand finals.

With the MPL Invitational and M3 World Championship just around the corner, Hadji's mettle and prowess will soon be tested against the best professional players from other countries.

—JMB, GMA News