Edward on Underdog Energy and the One Title He Still Wants

Edward Jay Dapadap is already a two-time MLBB esports world champion, and yet he sounds like someone who just got paid and doesn’t know what to do with the money.

“Feel ko, parang may kulang pa kasi hindi pa ako nakkabili ng hindi ko kailangan, eh!” Edward told ALL-STAR. 

This is how champions talk when the confetti has been swept away and reality has returned. The mind settles, the trophy sits on a shelf, and suddenly the question isn’t what’s next in-game? but ano pa bang kulang?

He thought about buying a car. Then immediately talked himself out of it.

“Iniisip ko bumili ng kotse pero parang hindi ideal kasi may MPL so parang hindi ko siya magagamit.”

He laughs, as if the M7 happened a very long time ago.

Aurora Gaming’s M7 run was anything but underdoggish: a sweep of the Swiss stage, a sweep of the knockouts, no room for debate. And yet, throughout the tournament, the crowd’s attention drifted toward Team Liquid, toward the familiar giants.

Edward noticed, but he doesn’t sound bitter about it. 

“Parang inuundersestimate nila kami, parang ganoon.”

But he’s careful with the word underestimate. He doesn’t frame it as disrespect. 

“More on nakatingin lang talaga sila sa bigger teams.”

So it was the economics of attention, and Edward knew they benefitted from the lack of it.

“Nakatingin sila sa Liquid, sa SRG, sa ONIC, kumbaga, parang na-underestimate nila kami, parang ganoon.”

But it was easy to underestimate Aurora.

They were labeled chokers.

And the statistics agreed.

At the M6 World Championship, Aurora did not make it past the Swiss Stage and were eliminated after losing to Team Liquid Indonesia (0-2) and finishing outside the knockout rounds. (This was a disappointing early exit for a Philippine representative.)

At the MPL Philippines Season 14 Grand Finals, Aurora made the finals but lost to Onic Philippines in a seven-game series.

At the MPL Philippines Season 16 Grand Finals, Aurora Gaming reached the finals but were swept 0-4 by Team Liquid PH, who reclaimed the league title.

So when we asked him how he felt when people rooted for Team Liquid instead of Aurora in spite of them sweeping the entire Swiss and Knockout stages, Edward understood why.

“Hindi pa rin buo yung tiwala nila sa amin. Mabuti naman na-prove namin na kaya talaga namin mag champion,” said Edward. 

But now that he’s got two M-Series World Championship trophies in his cabinet, he’s hoping to get a chance at defending another Philippine esports title: The SEA Games. 

“Hindi ko pa alam kung anong mangyayari sa SEA Games. Kunin ninyo na lang akong 6th man!” said Edward jokingly. 

He wasn’t sure if Aurora will be able to qualify for the next SEA Games qualifers because one of their players is unable to participate. 

“Sa mga teams na magka-qualify sa SEA Games, kunin ninyo na lang akong 6th man!” he repeats. 

Two world titles in, he’s still joking about being a sixth man, which is exactly why no one should ever count him out.

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