Coach Panda banking on returning Kenji to lead RSG in his 10th season

Despite being benched in MPL Philippines Season 9, exp laner Kenneth Jiane "Kenji" Villa showed no rust in helping RSG Philippines register their first win of the season and in the process appeared for his 10th season in the league.

His impactful presence resounded throughout the auditorium as his prowess in sustain heroes came into play, highlighted by his 15th minute play where he single-handedly disrupted TNC Pro Team's whole squad in a lord fight that resulted in RSG getting enough time to respond and secure the lord for themselves.

And that play was all Kenji, showing the kind of leadership that RSG badly needed in a game where they were at a disadvantage.

"Sabi ko sa kanila, try kong magpa-react ng kalaban. Pag may nag-react, try kong sumunod," he said.

("I told them, I'll try to make the opponent react. If someone reacts, I'll try to follow.")

RSG head coach Brian "Panda" Lim relishes Kenji's return to the active roster and expects the veteran to be a focal presence in their campaign this season.

"Malaking tulong sa morale boost (na andiyan si Kenji) [It's a huge morale boost that Kenji is here] because we know we don't only have one piece to work on," Coach Panda said.

"He's a really good captain material. He tells them (Team B), "You guys do this, you guys do that. You guys need discipline." Right now we are in the process of him finding his own voice because he feels like he is only a captain outside. But he can also be a captain in game din. Lots of work to do pa but it's a good start and I'm very proud of what he accomplished today."

For his part, Kenji is happy to play for his 10th season as a pro and is motivated to be integral in their team's bid to retain the MPL PH crown.

"Masaya (na naka-10 season na ako). Sana magtuloy-tuloy pa," he said.

"Naalala ko 'yung Season 1 dati na maraming fans. Parang nakaka-boost ng confidence ('yung fans). Gusto ko patunayan na—kasi nga matanda na daw ako —na kaya ko pa."

("I remember in Season 1, there were many fans. They boost our confidence. I want to prove—because they say that I am old—that I can still do it.")

With his performance against TNC, he indeed looked like he still had a lot left in the tank and seemingly never took a break from competitive play.

—MGP, GMA News