BREAKING: Salary Delays Hit Twisted Minds PH, Moonton Launches Probe
Twisted Minds PH, a professional MLBB esports team in MPL Philippines, has been enduring salary delays since it entered the local scene in the Philippines, sources within Twisted Minds told ALL-STAR.
As of this writing, salary compensation for players, coaches, and staff has been allegedly delayed for over a month.
Upon learning of the salary delays, Moonton immediately launched an investigation into Twisted Minds’ salary issue. Twisted Minds could face a fine depending on the result of the investigation.
ALL-STAR has reached out to the executives of Twisted Minds, and they have assured all stakeholders that they are working hard to resolve the delays which were reportedly caused by circumstances beyond their control.
Under the Labor Code of the Philippines, employers are required to pay employees their wages in a timely manner, at least once every two weeks or twice a month at intervals not exceeding sixteen days, and no employer shall pay salaries with less frequency than once a month.
Asked how players and staff of Twisted Minds PH are coping, the source said they were not doing well.
“Hindi okay. Madaming iniisip eh. Sobrang daming iniisip, sana all about the game na lang iniisip namin pero hindi eh. Madami pang ibang problema,” the source, who requested anonymity, told ALL-STAR.
(“We’re not okay. There’s just so much on our minds. We wish all we had to think about was the game, but it’s not like that. There are so many other problems to deal with.”)
Salary Delay Has Affected The Team’s Performance
According to the sources, the alleged salary delay is a major factor that has affected the team’s performance in MPL PH Season 17.
“Isa iyon sa mga reasons kung bakit minsan hindi kami nakakapag perform nang maayos,” the source said.
“Iniisip ng iba pangit ang laro namin pero mahirap kasi maglaro kapag may iba kang iniisip eh. Nandoon yung umaasa sa iyo ang pamilya mo kaso wala kaming maibigay. At dahil wala kaming maibigay, hahanap na ng ibang paraan para matulungan sila. So sa halip na sa laro na lang kami naka-focus, nag-iisp pa kami ng solusyon sa iba pang problema,” the source added.
(“That’s one of the reasons why we sometimes can’t perform well. Some people think we’re just playing badly, but it’s hard to focus on the game when you have other things on your mind. Your family is depending on you, but you have nothing to give them. And because we can’t provide anything, we have to find other ways to help them. So instead of being fully focused on the game, we’re also thinking about solutions to other problems.”)
Players Have Been Borrowing Money From Friends
Twisted Minds players and staff have been asking their close friends for help by borrowing money if someone is able to lend. But most of the time, that is not the case.
“Minsan, talagang no choice kami kundi humanap sa mga kaibigan, mga kakilala, manghiram kung may extra hanggang sa maka-survive. Ngayon iyon pa lang yung mga way na ginagawa namin,” the source said.
(“Sometimes, we really have no choice but to turn to friends and people we know, borrowing whatever they can spare just so we can get by. Right now, those are the only ways we’re managing to survive.”)
Salary Delays Have Been Allegedly Going On Since Season 15
ALL-STAR asked sources how long the alleged salary delay issue had been ongoing. According to them, salary releases have allegedly been inconsistent since Twisted Minds entered MPL Philippines in 2025 for MPL PH Season 15.
“Hindi lang ito ang first time. Isa rin yun sa reason last season, kung makikita ninyo, ang ganda ng start ng team, ang daming tinalo na malalakas na teams last season, and kalagitnaan, ang dami rin dumating na problema, isa na iyan,” said the source.
(“This isn’t the first time. That was also one of the reasons why last season, if you noticed, the team had such a strong start—it beat a lot of strong teams last season. But midway through, a lot of problems started coming in, and this was one of them.”)
According to the sources, former players of Twisted Minds also experienced the alleged salary delays.
“Sabi ng mga umalis sa Twisted Minds, na-experience din daw nila iyon noong sila pa ang players sa Twisted Minds,” a source within Twisted Minds revealed.
(“Those who left Twisted Minds said they also experienced the same thing when they were still players for Twisted Minds.”)
Among the players of Twisted Minds in Season 15 were Salic “Hadji” Imam, Jhonville “Outplayed” Villar, James “Jeymz” Gloria, Jomearie “Escalera” Delos Santos, Stephen “Sensui” Castillo, Michael “MP The King” Endino, and Jamaloding “Lamaj” Dimati.
The current roster of Twisted Minds PH for MPL Philippines includes Lance “Lansu” Misa, Michael “MP The King” Endino, Carlo “Caloy” Roma, Lee Howard “Owl” Gonzales, Miguel “Sionnn” Alcantara, Mico “Nosia” Guevarra, and Tracy “Tracyy” Damasco.
ALL-STAR asked the sources how often salary delays occurred in a span of a year.
“Dumadating naman sa point na for example, three consecutive months na okay ang salary, pero after that, bigla na lang magugulat kami na hindi darating yung sahod on time. Hindi siya consistent na always on time,” said the source.
(“There are times when the salary is fine for three straight months, but after that, we suddenly get surprised when it doesn’t arrive on time. It’s not consistently on schedule.”)
It was not the first time the salary was allegedly delayed for this long. It also reportedly happened in the past. But even when they eventually received their delayed salary at that time, the next payout for that month was also allegedly delayed, instead of receiving two months’ worth of salaries.
“Nabayaran yung late, pero yung susunod na bayad, hindi din siya dumating on time. Sabihin nating mga two weeks delayed bago dumating yung kasunod,” the source said, referring to the last time their salary was also delayed.
(“They were able to pay the delayed amount, but the next scheduled payment also didn’t arrive on time. Let’s say the following payout was delayed and arrived about two weeks later.”).
Situation in the Boot Camp
According to the sources who spoke to ALL-STAR, food and other provisions in the boot camp are not affected by the salary delay.
“Sa pagkain, hindi naman affected. Mayroon naman kaming stock, at mayroon pa namang budget para sa mga pagkain at necessities, sa tubig, sa kanin. Wala namang problema pagdating doon. Ang problema na lang talaga, paano namin tutulungan ang mga umaasa sa amin?” the source told ALL-STAR.
(“As for food, it’s not really affected. We still have supplies, and we still have a budget for food and basic necessities like water and rice. There’s no problem on that side. The real issue is how we can continue helping those who are depending on us.”)
Right now, players and staff of Twisted Minds are hoping the salary issues are resolved soon.
“Sana maayos na ang mga bagay bagay para makita na ng mga tao ang full potential namin maglaro. Ang hirap kasi maglaro na mayroon kang ibang baggage,” said the source.
(“We hope things get better so people can finally see our full potential. It’s hard to perform when you’re carrying other burdens.”)
This is a developing story. Refresh the article for updates.
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