It’s not easy being the captain of the ship but it’s a role that Coach Ducky rose up to.
“Basically no one starts coaching in esports with any form of qualification,” says Francis “Ducky” Glindro, head coach of Falcons AP.Bren, with a wry grin.
He’s steered his team towards two MLBB world championships, SEA Games gold medals, and numerous international tournament wins. Yet, coaching was not a role he aspired to, but rather a role he grew into.
“I was playing Dota for a very long time, semi-competitively,” said Coach Ducky, reflecting on how he got into esports. “I think I really wanted to be in esports kasi lagi ako nanonood nun ng mga Dota tournaments. Small tournaments, big tournaments, it doesn’t matter as long as nakikita ko yung game.”
Of course, in those days esports wasn’t even a thing yet to most people. Making a career out of it was nigh impossible and as Coach Ducky recounts, “I was knocked down a different path kasi syempre I had to work. I’ve had a couple of corporate jobs before esports came knocking on my door again. And then yun, that’s when I decided na I’m going back to esports.”
Back in the early years of competitive MLBB, Coach Ducky played in the same amateur team as Falcons AP.Bren’s team captain Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel. There were still thoughts of going pro for coach Ducky but as he says, “You know, you grow old, your hands slow down. So yun na, I became a coach.”
Learning Along the Way
“I had no prior experience with this particular role, I learned along the way,” said Coach Ducky. “Di naman ako nagsimula as the head coach. I started as someone who analyzes the game.”
Back then that was what a coach was mostly known for. In MOBAs like MLBB, a coach is seen as the guy who handles game drafts and strategies. Technically, the players can handle this by themselves but having someone be on that role allows players to focus more on their own performance. It was only later when Coach Ducky started taking on bigger responsibilities in the team.
“My job description basically entails that I handle anything outside the game. Anything that has something to do with the direction of the team, be it in-game or out, I have to be that guy. So, if there are moments na meron silang doubts and stuff like that, they have someone that goes ‘Oh? Ano nang gagawin natin?’”
Still, it took time for Coach Ducky to learn what it meant to be a coach. After that, he figured out the style and goals he wanted to establish as a coach.
For coach Ducky, culture setting was the most important goal he wanted to apply to Falcons AP.Bren. He points to Phil Jackson and Jose Mourinho as his inspirations for this.
“One thing I noticed was that whenever they’re starting out with a new team, they always have a culture of what they’re trying to achieve — what the team is going to be about. When I was starting out with [Falcons AP.Bren], that’s one of the experiments that I attempted. Luckily, it worked with the help of the team’s management. Nagawa ko naman and I think it’s still working now.”
Building on the Foundation
That culture in Falcons AP.Bren is one of trust and understanding. It didn’t stick immediately but the team has been through so much that coach Ducky believes this culture he’s set is one of the reasons why the team has persevered.
“I’m a really strong believer of second chances,” said coach Ducky. “I’ve never been fond of moving pieces na alam ko naman na kaya kong paganahin. And one of the things that I really value the most is loyalty. If I see that you have the work ethic, I’d rather have that than a player who’s good but can be a headache.”
And even now, with the team’s culture set and Falcons AP.Bren sitting at the top of the MLBB world, and Coach Ducky’s job isn’t done.
“I have a project that I’m working on right now where my goal is to make my players financially stable and for them to experience financial freedom. They don’t have to think about winning for the money but more about playing for their legacy.”
As his job description says, Coach Ducky is looking out for his team both in and out of the game. With that kind of vision and guidance, it’s no wonder that Falcons AP.Bren is where they are today.
Banner photo by Excel Panlaque/The Game.