MLBB: SRG star Innocent emerges in best gold laner conversation

JAKARTA—Kelra, Oheb, Super Marco, and Emman.

These were the gold laners John “Innocent” Banal studied, admired, and aspired to emulate while finding his footing in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang scene.

Fast forward to the present, the gap between Innocent and his idols has disappeared. No longer measuring himself against them, he has earned a rightful place in the debate over who is the best gold laner in the current meta.

Since moving to Malaysia to bolster Selangor Red Giants (SRG) alongside fellow Filipino import Mark “Kramm” Rusiana and head coach Michael “Arcadia” Bocado, Innocent has helped elevate the region’s competitive stature.

The professional scene grew, the fanbase expanded, and the spotlight shone brighter than ever.

That is why Innocent is not taking sole credit, saying his inclusion in the “best gold laner” conversation is a feat shared by an entire nation.

“Na-surprise lang talaga ako kasi nu’ng mga last tournaments namin, hindi na namin masyadong iniisip kasi usually ‘yung may maraming biased [fans] ay teams sa Indonesia at PH, at mas malaki talaga ang fanbase nila kumpara sa Malaysia,” Innocent told GMA News Online on Wednesday.

“At ‘yung Malaysia, hindi naman siya known internationally hanggang dumating ‘yung SRG. Kaya masaya na ako kasi nare-recognize na ako ng mga tao.”

Innocent has become the face of SRG in both the local and international scenes.

He has steered the Malaysian club to four straight MPL titles, a feat never achieved by any other team, and played a crucial role in SRG’s surprise championship run in the 2024 Mid-Season Cup, which marked Malaysia’s first-ever major international title.

In the ongoing M7 World Championship, SRG remains unbeaten and has advanced to the upper bracket finals, where a victory would secure a spot in the grand finals.

Now, Innocent is chasing the world title—an honor once claimed by the very players he looked up to.

Kiel “Oheb” Soriano won M3 with Blacklist International, while Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales and Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano led Echo (now Team Liquid) and Bren (now Team Falcons) to M4 and M5 titles, respectively. Duane “Kelra” Pillas was also part of the Onic squad that ruled M6 in 2024.

“Nu’ng rookie pa ako, ang malalakas na gold laners ay sina Kelra, Bennyqt, Super Marco, at Oheb. Pero mas prefer ko talaga ‘yung kapareho ng playstyle ko, katulad ni Kelra, Emman, at Benny,” he added.

“Sila talaga ‘yung tinitingala ko no’n. Sana maging champ din.”

—JKC, GMA Integrated News