Tristan 'Yawi' Cabrera and his teammates in Aura Fire. MPL Indonesia 

MANILA -- Tristan "Yawi" Cabrera's transfer to his former team's mother squad Aura Fire became the biggest news to hit the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang transfer window this year.

Indeed, his presence became important to the Indonesian squad, with Aura Fire tied for the second spot with reigning champions Onic Indonesia, making them a worthy title contender to beat the Hedgehog dynasty in Indonesia.

MLBB: End of an era as Yawi parts ways with ECHO

During his return to the Philippines, the M4 championship roamer shared that he has a "give and take" relationship with his current team, teaching them the fundamentals he learned from his former team ECHO.

"Naging malaking bagay ang ECHO kasi una ang disiplina sa pagdating ko do'n clash sila nang clash eh. Tapos nagbigay ako knowledge sa discipline, kung ano gagawing set-up 'pag Turtle and Lord," Yawi said at the sidelines of his  MPL Philippines visit, Sunday. 

(Being part of ECHO was an important factor to my stay in Aura. Because at first, they kept on relying on clashes. So I gave them knowledge on discipline, on setups that I could do when we try to secure the Turtle and the Lord.) 

"Matalino po sila maglaro, may kulang lang po talaga. Ang coaches lagi akong nagtatanong sa kanila. Lahat ng sinasabi ko 'di ko sure kung tama, ina-apply nila and nagtatanong din po ako sa kanila.  Hindi lang ako pumunta para ako lang ang magturo. Give and take kami and respeto and tiwala sa isa't isa," he said.

(They play wisely -- it's just that there's something lacking. But I also ask my coaches what to do because I'm not sure whether or not what I say is right. At the same time, they apply what I tell them and I ask them what to do. We have a give or take relationship, and we respect and trust each other.)

Yawi was an integral part to ECHO's success in 2023, having won the M4 World Championship and subsequently, their first MPL Philippines title under the ECHO franchise.

Yawi during his world championship debut with ECHO. Courtesy: Moonton Games'No asawa esports in Echo'

But after a third-place finish in MSC, Yawi saw the sidelines, being replaced by Jaypee "Jaypee" Dela Cruz. The move caught scrutiny, with others accusing management of politicking the decisions to bench him.

ECHO manager, coach break silence on roamer brouhaha

Yawi then denied these allegations.

"Di naman po totoo. Naglabas sila ng statement and based on team decision siya. Siyempre kung team decision, nirespeto ko 'yung team decision. Lahat sila nag-majority para sa team and part 'yun ng team and support ako sa kanila po," Yawi said.

He acknowledged the fans' frustration towards the decision, but called for them to respect it.

"Sa mga fans, siguro nasaktan lang sila kasi siyempre madami kaming pinagsamahan feeling ko ... Sa mga fans siguro pag may nangyari sa team intindihin niyo na lang din," he said. 

While in Indonesia, Yawi shared that he has also been hanging out with his teammates, learning Bahasa, and going to Church every Sunday.