Mark "Kramm" Rusiana carries the MSC 2024 trophy after defeating Falcons AP Bren in the Grand Finals held in Boulevard Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Courtesy: Esports World Cup

MANILA - Filipinos Mark "Kramm" Rusiana and John Vincent "Innocent" Banal hardly found luck in the high-octane Mobile Legends: Bang Bang scene in Manila before being signed by Malaysia's Selangor Red Giants. 

Six months later, they defeated M5 World Champions Falcons AP Bren, helping Malaysia snap its six-year drought on international tournaments. Both Kramm and Innocent are more than glad to cement their place as two of the world's best players, playing crucial roles in SRG's recent success. 

"I'm happy [about winning] because we have a lot of bashers that are doubting us...  Even though I came from an 8th placer [team], Ican still improve and this is the result," Innocent said in a post-match press conference. 

Innocent with Kramm. Courtesy: Esports World Cup

Kramm and Innocent came from TNC Pro Team, a team which consistently placed 8th in the standings of dominant league MPL Philippines. 

Kramm, minsang natulog sa kalsada bago makamit ang pangarap bilang ML pro player

In their move to MPL Malaysia, they enjoyed an undefeated record all the way to qualifying for MSC 2024, extending that streak all the way to the world stage, and becoming one of the best teams in the world.

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In his time apart from home, Kramm would think about his past, which he spent with the lack of support from his parents when it came to his dreams to become an esports athlete.  

Kramm during MSC 2024. Courtesy: Esports World Cup

"Every match po parang lagi ko siyang iniisip na pumunta ako sa gilid parang binabalikan ko sa nakaraan, sarili ko para sa patuloy na pagkamit sa pangarap," Kramm shared. 

In a podcast with caster and analyst Caisam "Wolf" Nopueto, head coach and fellow Pinoy Michael "Arcadia" Bocado admitted that SRG were adamant on getting both in.

"As a coach kailangan kong i-explain technically to the management why I want this player. So nagsulat ako ng mga three paragraphs, yung strengths and weaknesses niya," the former ECHO and RRQ Hoshi coach said. 

Kramm was one of the players in TNC's rise to third place during MPL Season 9, then as one of the best teams in the league. That, however, would feel like a fever dream as the Phoenix Army failed to rise again. 

Thankfully the call to include them paid dividends with Innocent and Kramm's impact in the 7-game slugfest against The Hive - despite having lane opponents such as Marco "Super Marco" Requitano and David Charles "FlapTzy" Canon. 

Outclassing both, the former TNC players can now call themselves two of the world's best players, despite the team enduring hurdles.