PH still MLBB boss, but a Filipino coach is helping Myanmar find its identity

The Philippines may still be the country to beat in the competitive Mobile Legends: Bang Bang scene.

However, its dominance should not overshadow another country that has quietly emerged as a force of its own, with a Filipino coach helping reshape its identity.

Myanmar has always shown glimpses of its potential.

At the M2 World Championship, its very own Burmese Ghouls put together an impressive run, taking down Filipino powerhouse Bren Esports in the upper-bracket semifinals. However, Burmese Ghouls could not replicate that feat in the grand finals, where Bren Esports got its revenge with a sweep to claim the title.

Since then, the region had been largely silent, struggling to make the same kind of noise it did during that memorable M2 run.

That changed at the 2026 Mid Season Cup at EWC Paris, when Yangon Galacticos reached the grand finals against eventual champion Team Spirit, becoming the first Myanmar team to reach a major MLBB championship final since 2020.

One of the many people behind that resurgence is Filipino coach Mark Neil “Marvz” Luz.

“Actually madalas kong naririnig ‘to, kung over na nga ba [ang PH era]. Pero sa totoo lang kasi, para sa akin, hindi naman. Nagkataon lang na may mga regions na nakakasabay na. Hindi nating pwedeng sabihing over na. Pwdeng may sumasabay na,” Marvz said in a press conference.

(I often hear people asking whether the Philippines’ era is over. But honestly, for me, it isn’t. It just happens that other regions are now able to keep up. We can’t say that it’s over. Other regions may simply be catching up.)

Marvz said he witnessed firsthand the passion of the Burmese people for MLBB, from the production staff to the players themselves. He also praised the country’s talent, saying its people possess exceptional skills, mentality, and attitude when it comes to competing in the game.

But above all, it is the hunger of the players that stands out.

“For example sa EWC, na uuwi kami, lahat wine-welcome nila like a hero ‘yung mga lumalaban sa bansa nila. Kasi ‘pag lumabas ka sa Myanmar, ang dala mo hindi na sarili mo e or yung organization mo, dala mo 'yung buong bansa eh,” he added.

(For example, during EWC, when we returned home, everyone welcomed those who competed for their country like heroes. Because when you go out and represent Myanmar, you’re no longer carrying just yourself or your organization—you’re carrying the entire country.)

“Ganon din yung binuild namin sa YG. 'Yun 'yung gutom, gutom talaga.”

(That’s also what we built at YG. That hunger—that genuine hunger to succeed.)

Marvz’s players at Yangon Galacticos also represented Myanmar at the 2026 Asian Games, where MLBB made its first-ever appearance as a medal event.

Similar to their MSC run, the core of Yangon Galacticos also impressed at the prestigious Asian Games, taking down a powerhouse Indonesian side to claim the historic gold medal.

Coach Marvz, however, admitted that he stepped aside to give Burmese players the opportunity to represent Myanmar on the Asian Games stage. He said he ultimately decided not to coach the squad because of the language barrier, which he felt could affect the team’s bid for a medal.

“Kasi language barrier so ayoko na magkaro'n ng problema so sabi ko it’s your region, bansa n'yo 'yan, ayoko i-risk 'yung chance nating matalo so that time, mas maganda sa akin na bumaba muna, pahinga lang muna,” he added.

(Because of the language barrier, I didn’t want it to become a problem. So I told them, ‘It’s your region, it’s your country. I don’t want to risk our chances of losing.’ At that time, I felt it was better for me to step aside and let them take over.)

“Tapos pakita n'yo sa buong mundo na, don’t get me wrong, na hindi Pinoy 'yung bumuhat sa inyo. Ito yung time na pwedeng ipakita na ‘we can do it’.”

(Then show the whole world—and don’t get me wrong—that you don’t need a Filipino to carry you. This is the time to show that ‘we can do it.’)

—JKC, GMA News