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| Kiel "KielVJ" Cruzem is back in MPL Philippines. Esports World Cup (file photo) |
MANILA--AP Bren was the first to unveil its lineup for MPL Philippines Season 17, starting on March 20.
In a photo reveal on Sunday, Kiel "Kielvj" Cruzem and Karl "Giee" Barrientos will add international and veteran smarts to an upstart Bren franchise still finding its identity following the departure of its former "Death 5", which is now with Team Falcons Philippines.
A two-time MPL Philippines champion with Sunsparks and a one-time MLBB Mid-Season Cup champion with Execration, Cruzem will take over the place of "Lord JM" Sebastian, who took his talents to Cambodia to join Vigor Apex, as AP Bren's EXP laner.
Cruzem is fresh from a stellar stint in China with DFYG.
On the other hand, Barrientos, who led RSG Philippines to the MPL Philippines Season 9 and the MSC chips in 2022, will take over the head coaching spot vacated by Jeff Manforte.
Barrientos previously coached Influence Rage, which finished second in MPL Latin America Season 4 last year.
James "Jamespangks" Mendoza, Jerry "Chovskrt" Nicol, Arvie "Aqua" Antonio, Jan "Shizou" Valdez, and Denniel "XNova" Gomez return for another half-year of duty for AP Bren.
In arguably the most competitive MPL PH season yet, AP Bren had an outright chance to take a playoff spot in Season 16.
However, after all the smokes were cleared, the club still finished last in the regular season with a 4-10 record, although it was just one match behind a wild three-way tie for fifth place between TNC, Falcons PH, and Smart Omega, the other club knocked out of postseason contention following the tiebreakers.
