From Last-Minute Recruit to Game Changer: How Benthings Boosted Aurora’s M6 Dreams

“Last-minute lang ako narecruit sa Aurora, biglang M6 na!” Ben Maglaque, aka Benthings, joked After Aurora secured an M6 World Championship slot. 

Few people know that Benthings going to Aurora was nearly unplanned. The former Roamer and captain of TNC was supposed to go to Blacklist International, which was trying to recruit him before the start of Season 14—but things did not push through.

For a moment, he thought his career was over after he left TNC hoping Blacklist would take him.

“Nagawa ko yung salitang umalis sa comfort zone, hindi ko lang sya sinabi. Nag tiwala lang ako sa sarili ko na madaming opportunity na nag aantay sakin basta wag lang ako matakot,” Benthings told ALL-STAR.

With a day left before the roster locked in, Aurora realized Benthings was available, they had to pick him up. 

It turned out to be the best decision for Aurora and Benthings. 

“Wala kami rito kung hindi dahil kay Benthings,” said Aurora’s team captain Renejay Barcarse. 

Aurora’s 7-game grand finals heartstopper with Fnatic ONIC Philippines sent the MPL-PH community into overdrive, breaking viewership records not seen since Season 7. Esports Charts said that match peaked at 1.6 million concurrent viewers, which people thought was only possible during the pandemic. 

“Para sa akin, sobrang laki talaga ng tulong ni Benthings sa amin. Kasi unang una, yung mga reminders niya, and yung mga ginagawa naming play minsan nanggagaling talaga kay Benthings. Kung wala siya baka wala kami dito,” Renejay said.

Benthings was quick to redirect the praise.

“Team Work talaga kasama yung back end mag uumpisa sa house keeping, chef, manager and operational sobrang solid talaga. Kaming mga players and coaches ML nalang iintindihin namin wala ng iba, wala talagang problema sa ibang bagay,” he told ALL-STAR.

What’s clear in that 7-game thriller is that Aurora was no accident. There was intentionality in every play, every strategy, and every comeback. The team’s cohesion and calculated approach demonstrated that they weren’t just riding on luck—they were a force, built and prepared for high-stakes moments like this.

With Aurora qualifying for the M6 World Championship, Benthings finally has the chance to reach a dream he almost thought was out of reach.

Former caster-analyst who is now TNC’s head coach, Caisam Nopueto, aka Coach Wolf, went as far as saying that Aurora will block everyone in M6 to face Fnatic ONIC Philippines in the grand finals. 

“It will be SRG, Aurora, and Fnatic ONIC Philippines in the top 3,” Wolf said during his live stream last week.

Benthings’ last-minute recruitment may be a funny twist of fate that transformed Aurora’s journey. It wouldn’t be surprising if he leads his team to the world championship.

“Masaya akong natupad na yung isa sa pangarap ko mag compete sa international. And gusto namin kunin yung M6 Thropy para mahirang kami na pinaka malakas sa buong mundo.”