We’re halfway through the season and despite the struggles, the Phoenix’s fire is still burning.
MPL PH S14 has been a rough one for TNC Pro Team and coach Caisam “Wolf” Nopueto, yet despite their shortcomings, they are still persevering. Right now, they currently sit at the bottom of the standings with a 0-9 record.
The rest of the season looks bleak for the Phoenixes but most frustrating of all is that despite the scoreline TNC has been slowly improving week after week. They’ve been able to take games against those at the top of the board but have yet to convert them into match wins. The team is giving their all but Coach Wolf needs to face their situation pragmatically.
“Determined kami but this is a competition and other teams are just as determined as us,” he said.
Before the start of the season, Coach Wolf said that he was aiming to establish structure and identity within TNC. Finding this identity, however, has been one of the biggest challenges for TNC this season.
“The thing with [identity] is that it can be rather deceptive. Kasi when you try something during practice, akala mo yun na yung identity mo. Then pagdating ng tournament, nagbabago siya. So it’s always getting challenged.”
Yet, Coach Wolf believes that this is vital for TNC because it’s something that top teams like Falcons AP.Bren have, which is why they’ve been dominant in MPL S14.
“Tapos na sila sa stage na nandun pa lang kami,” said coach Wolf. “We’re still building that foundation and honestly, yung nabuo naming identity, unti-unti na siya na she-shape…We’re getting closer and closer and once we have that, yung foundation na hinahanap namin nandun na din.”
Leading by example
For any team at the bottom of the standings, low morale is a constant danger. However, for TNC, they still look determined as they were at the start of the season. They still remain motivated and that’s thanks to Coach Wolf.
“It starts with you,” said coach Wolf when asked how he’s able to keep morale up. “Personally, as a coach hindi ka pwede mawala ng fire. And I can tell you quite confidently that motivated pa rin ako; I still have that fire.”
It’s not just him as well. The entire TNC staff still believes in their team and that makes all the difference.
“When I look to my left and right, with coach [Patrick “E2MAX” Caidic] and TNC management, determined pa rin sila makabawi. If we at the top surround the players with that kind of energy, na hindi kami susuko, I think that’s the way for us to keep ourselves motivated.”
Banner photo from MOONTON GAMES.