Teddy finds his second home in Mobile Legends and he’s more than just settling in

Somewhere in the middle of uncertainty, Dave “Teddy” Viaña found Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, which turned into his second home when challenges emerged in his real one some years ago.

Teddy, now a promising rookie for powerhouse club Team Liquid in the MPL Philippines Season 17, once found himself on the verge of leaving home after his parents decided to separate.

In that difficult period for him, he found direction in Mobile Legends.

By breaking into the Top 100 global rank, Teddy earned a spot in an amateur club, Gamer Pact, that would become a turning point in his journey.

"Second home ko na rin po ito kasi solid din po ‘yung napuntahan kong amateur team, Gamer Pact po," Teddy told GMA News Online last Friday after helping Team Liquid pull off a 2-0 win over Aurora Gaming.

"Tini-treat po kami doon hindi as a player kundi as a family po talaga kaya sobrang saya. Tumagal din po ako ng four years doon."

(This is my second home because the amateur team that I joined, Game Pact, is solid. They treated us not just as players, but as famiy, so that was really good. I stayed there for four years.)

Things have improved between his parents, who, in fact, were there to watch him and Team Liquid deliver a statement win against the reigning world champion Aurora at the Victoria Sports Tower.

"Until now po separated po sila pero nando'n po sila kanina magkasama pero okay naman na po 'yung relationship nila," Teddy added.

"Nagkaro’n din po kasi ng problem sa household namin. Parang gusto ko munang umalis sa bahay that time. And ang ganda ng timing kasi kukunin na ako ng team sa bootcamp, ‘yun din ‘yung naging way para i-pursue ko ‘yung passion ko."

(Until now, they are separated but they were together today and their relationship is okay... There was a problem in our household. I kind of wanted to leave home that time. And the timing was good because there was a team that wanted to get me for bootcamp. That became the way for me to pursue my passion.)

Not just a replacement player

But while he sees MLBB as a second home, the 20-year-old Teddy is more than just settling in. If anything, it has only sharpened his hunger to improve and prove himself.

Teddy stressed that he’s out to show he is more than just a replacement player.

Team Liquid originally planned to feature an import this season with Indonesian star Sultan "Aeronnshikii" Muhammad set to bring his act to the Philippines. But Aeronnshikii turned out ineligible to play and has since moved to Malaysia's AC Esports. 

With Aeronnshikii unable to play, Team Liquid initially fielded Kim “Daiki” Sebanes in the first two games before deciding to bring in Teddy.

And he didn't disappoint.  With Teddy on board, Team Liquid remains unbeaten with a 9-0 card to clinch the first playoff ticket. 

"May gigil po kasi gusto ko ring i-prove ‘yung sarili ko sa mga fans pati sa mga bashers kasi sinasabi nila na Top 8 secured kami ngayon so parang gusto kong i-prove na nagkakamali sila," he added. 

(I'm eager to prove myself to the fans and to the bashers. They're saying we're secured for Top 8 but I want to prove them wrong.)

—JMB, GMA News