RSG PH's unsung hero: How Aqua carried the Philippine champs to the MSC 2022 crown

After goldlaner Eman “EMANN” Sangco took home the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asian Cup (MSC) 2022 2022 MVP, midlaner Arvie “Aqua” Antonio became the only member of RSG Philippines with no MVP or rookie-of-the-season award under his belt.

Still, Aqua remains an integral part of RSG PH and was the "unsung hero" of their MSC 2022 conquest.

Backed against the wall after Omega Esports forced a rubber match for the lower bracket finals series, Aqua (Yve) took the driver's seat in Game 5 scoring the first blood and taking a quick 2-0-1 KDA by the 3rd minute.

He continued to lead RSG's snowball and capped off the stellar performance with a perfect execution of the Real World Manipulation in the 17th minute to tear down Omega heroes, enabling his squad score the wipeout. He finished the match with a perfect 7-0-7 KDA.

MPL Philippines Season 9 MVP and RSG roamer Dylan “Light” Catipon was all praises for Aqua's performance that helped them book a rematch against Indonesia's RRQ Hoshi in the grandfinals.

"Buhat na buhat kami ni Aqua nung series na yun," Light told GMA News Online.

He did not stop there though as he once again delivered in the grandfinals, where he piloted RSG's Game 1 comeback, finishing with another no death 6-0-8 KDA.

In Game 3, his brilliance came in full display when almost single-handedly reversed a 2-0 pick off in favor of RRQ into a 4-2 trade for RSG with pinpoint execution of the Real World Manipulation.

"Sobrang patient yung ginawa ko dun. Naghihintay lang ako ng timing. Yung nakakita na ako ng timing, doon ako nagset-up ng ulti (skill) kaya nahuli ko sila nun. Kaya naubos sila," Aqua said of his massive play that helped them reach match point.

He was on a 5-0-12 KDA tear before he sacrificed his life to help RSG secure the base turret push and take Game 3. In the close out Game 4, he finished with another perfect 2-0-7 KDA.

Overall, Aqua compiled a godlike statline taking 17 kills and 36 assists with a while only dying twice in the four-game series

Coach Karl “Giee” Barrientos is proud at how his prized midlaner bounced back after commiting a crucial mistake in the upper bracket finals that sent them to the lower bracket.

"He learned his mistake nung last upper bracket match (vs RRQ) nung nahook siya ni Ruby nung he's using Cecillon. He learned [from] his mistake and adapted," the RSG Coach said.

Even Filipino shoutcaster and analyst Dan “Leo” Cubangay marveled at Aqua's grandfinals performance and recognized him as his personal MSC grandfinals MVP, to which Omega Esports Head Coach Tony "Ynot" Senedrin and former Onic Philippines Head Coach Denver “Yeb” Miranda agreed.

With the MSC 2022 conquest, paired with almost perfect performances by Aqua in two crucial series, some may already see him as the best midlaner not only in the Philippines but also in the world.

"Gusto ko patunayan sa sarili ko na maging pinakamagaling na pos4 (midlaner) sa buong mundo," revealed Aqua after their championship run.

—JMB, GMA News