Pinoy gold laner Innocent cops M6 Breakthrough Player award

KUALA LUMPUR — John "Innocent" Banal's stellar skills and unique game plays have landed him as the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M6 World Championship Breakthrough Player.

The Filipino gold laner, who suits up as import for Malaysian powerhouse Selangor Red Giants, was given the top individual award on Saturday in front of the roaring Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for shining in his maiden M-series stint.

Innocent, who once dropped an M-series record 19 kills against RRQ, is currently fifth in KDA with 7.9 while he's the top player in terms of average gold per minute with 837 golds. In average damage per minute, Innocent, a former TNC player in MPL Philippines, is posting 4356 a game.

Innocent beat fellow gold laners Sultan "AeronnShikii" Muhammad and Anton "Hiko" Pak of Team Liquid ID and Team Spirit, respectively. He also edged out his former TNC teammate and current Fnatic ONIC jungler in Cyric "K1NGKONG" Perez.

In a previous interview, SRG head coach Michael "Arcadia" Bocado said he has been a believer of Innocent since day one and even before they became teammates.

"To be honest, hindi pa namin siya nakukuha, kalaban pa lang namin siya sa scrims, nakikita ko na na parang ang lakas nito ah. Tapos bakit parang ‘di siya nagsha-shine, ba’t wala masyadong nakakapansin sa kanya," Arcadia said.

"Kumbaga, dun pa lang nakita ko na talaga ‘yung potential niya."

That is why Arcadia is no longer surprised to see his ward shine on the world stage. 

"Actually, doon sa performance niya, kung tutuusin hindi siya surprising sa’min kasi kahit sa mga practices, maganda ‘yung pinapakita niya," Arcadia added.

"Happy lang ako na napakita niya rin sa buong mundo."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News