ModeTFT on his competitive goals: Itaas ang bandera ng PH server

Vince “ModeTFT” Leonardo sat down with Esports INQ to talk about his experience in the recently concluded TFT Macao Open 2024 and his goals as a competitor.

I’m Vince Leonardo, aka ModeTFT. I’ve been playing Teamfight Tactics since Set 3, and I’ve been Challenger ever since Set 7. [My] peak LP was 1,900, Rank 1.

How do you feel about your TFT Macao Open results as you exited in the round of 64?

I mean, satisfied naman ako. I was aiming for only top 128, pero na-exceed ko yung expectations ko. Pero I could’ve played better. Kayang-kaya sana top 32, pero minalas tayo [sa RNG], unfortunately.

What were your general impressions of the other competitors?

Siyempre yung mga Chinese players nakakatakot. Kahit yung mga ‘di mo kilala, pag nalaman mong Chinese player, kakabahan ka na. Kasi hindi ko masyadong napapanood yung mga Chinese players eh, kaya hindi ko alam kung ano yung i-e-expect sa kanila. Sa [ibang site] kasi sila nagi-istream eh.

How did you prepare for TFT Macao Open?

I played scrims with other pros din. A lot of them were NA players pati EU players. May sarili kaming Discord, doon kami nag-uusap at gumagawa ng lobbies. Isang buong linggo.

Boxbox, Robinsongz, Kiyoon, nandiyan din si Araye, of course. Nakascrim ko sila.

How did you get here?

Noong nag-announce sila ng release ng tickets for TFT Macao, hindi ako nakakuha first try. Pero, 3 days after, nagbigay ulit ng chance yung Riot. Since binawasan nila yung ticket sales for China, binigay nila yung slots sa global. So, nakakuha kami ni Araye, fortunately. Dahil doon, naka-secure kami ng ticket.

Why did you decide to compete in the TFT Macao Open?

Ah, first of all, siyempre, once a year lang magkaroon ng [stage event] for TFT. Chance ko rin ito para ma-meet yung mga pinapanood ko, yung mga idol ko, at makapagpa-picture sa kanila.

Atsaka, hindi ako pumunta dito para manalo – pumunta talaga ako para sa experience. Pero bonus na lang yung [prize money], siyempre, gusto ko rin yung return on investment, yung ginastos ko. Pero hindi ko in-expect na manalo… yung nakuha ko sa top 64 na $600, di ko in-expect yun.

What are your goals as a competitor?

Gusto ko talaga makaqualify ng Worlds, at itaas ang bandera ng PH server. Nagawa na nila ARaye iyon since nag-qualify sila ni Mald sa Worlds. Gusto ko rin ma-experience ‘yon.

Wish ko… siyempre sponsor, number one. ‘Di ko naman kaya [sagutin] lahat. And then, wish ko rin maging pinaka-magaling.

What challenges did you face, even before the competition itself?

Financial. Ubos yung savings ko. Kasi ano na naman eh, ipon ko lang yung from streaming. So, ubos lahat para dito. Buti na lang talaga nakakuha ako dito ng prize money kahit papaano. And also, kasi kala ko yung isa kong kasama, hindi tutuloy – si Cytical. Isa rin yung mga naging problema ko. Akala ko mag-isa lang ako pupunta dito. Pero thankfully, pumunta sila, tapos si Araye kasabay ko rin pala sa flight and hotel, yeah.

Did you tell your friends or family that you were going to Macao?

Oo. Noong una, tinanong nila anong gagawin ko doon. Sabi ko, “maglalaro.” Ayun lang. Tapos ayun, nandito na ako. In-update ko sila. Kita nila yung mga updates ko sa Facebook na ayun, pasok ako sa round 2, round 3. Supportive naman sila. Alam nila na naglalaro ako, pero di nila [alam] na TFT.

Do you find reaching top 10 in the PH server challenging?

Ah, para sa akin, hindi. Madali lang sa akin. Sa totoo lang, yung server natin, hindi masyadong competitive. Konti lang talaga yung mga nags-sweat sa server natin. Mas marami ‘yung mga casuals – yung mga papa-Master lang, tapos titigil na. Kaya yun, ‘yung mga kalaban ko sa Challenger, kami-kami na lang din sa server natin.

Are you excited for the SEA server merge?

Siyempre! Kasi bibilis ang queue times. Dadami ang players, and mas magiging competitive. Masaya rin kasi marami akong friends sa Singapore and Thailand na TFT players. Excited rin ako makalaro sila.

You’re very proud of your competitive spirit, what would you like to say to those who have the same spirit but lack the courage to take the leap?

Kung sa tingin niyo may mararating kayo sa pagiging competitive sa games, ipagpatuloy niyo lang. Risky talaga ‘yung maging isang competitive gamer [as a] living, kaya take precautions. Ayun lang. Tingnan mo muna kung kaya mo. Ako kasi, feeling ko naman sa PH, I’ve been rank 1 to 5 for like 2 years now. So kung tingin mo kaya mo makipag-keep up sa iba, why not?

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