From Nearly Retiring, Renejay Vows: “Ibubuhos Ko Ang Lahat”
Renejay Barcarse has always been a polarizing figure in the esports world. Known for his flashy plays and undeniable talent, he’s also garnered his fair share of doubters and haters. But on the night when Aurora PH dismantled and eliminated the defending world champions AP BREN in the MPL-PH Season 14 playoffs, Renejay finally silenced the noise.
With that victory, it is Aurora—not AP BREN—that will represent the Philippines in the M6 World Championship, a stage Renejay has long dreamt of reaching.
When we asked him where he draws his strength despite the negativity that surrounds him, his answer was humbling.
“Sa mga teammates at coaches ko,” Renejay shared, visibly humbled. “Kahit ako minsan nagda-doubt talaga ako sa sarili ko, kasi sure ako inconsistent din yung iba kong mga laro. Pero nandiyan kasi yung mga teammates ko at coaches ko para alalayan ako tuwing nada-down ako. Sa kanila ako humuhugot ng lakas.”
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The seemingly arrogant Renejay from his days in Dogie’s boot camp in Pampanga was gone. He also praised the invisible work of Ben Maglaque aka Benthings, who is Aurora’s player-analyst.
“Para sa akin, sobrang laki talaga tulong ni Benthings sa amin. Kasi una-una yung mga reminders niya, and yung mga ginagawa naming play minsan nanggagaling talaga siya kay Benthings. Kung wala siya baka wala kami dito,” Renejay said.
For someone who’s been in the esports scene for over five years, it’s easy to forget that Renejay was just a teenager when his journey began. At 15, he was already making waves, and today, at 21, he stands as one of the country’s top Mobile Legends players. His evolution, both as a player and a person, has been nothing short of remarkable.
“Ang pinakanagbago sa akin, yung maturity ko,” Renejay explained when we asked him what has changed the most in his six years of competing. “Dati po kasi talaga, medyo bata pa ako, ginagawa ko lang kung ano yung gusto ko. Pero ngayon kasi, mas pinag-iisipan ko na yung mga ginagawa ko. Yun din, disiplina at respeto.”
But even with this maturity, Renejay admitted that he still feels like he hasn’t proven himself.
Renejay once told us that he has yet to prove anything in esports. But now that he’s raising the country’s flag in M6, what does that mean for him?
He paused for a moment, reflecting on the weight of the question.
“Medyo mabigat iyon ah,” Renejay began. “Pero sa akin po kasi talaga, sobrang nagsimula pa lang ako mag-Mobile Legends, idol ko na yung mga nandito, si Pheww, si Hadji. Tapos ang gusto ko po talaga ay makapaglaro talaga. At syempre, gusto ko rin talaga makapag-world stage. Hindi ko po masyadong iniisip kung ano ang mangyayari, gusto ko lang po talaga maglaro kasi iyon talaga yung pangarap ko since 15 years old pa lang ako.”
It’s clear that Renejay’s passion for the game remains pure. Despite the fame and the expectations that come with his name, his love for the game is what keeps him going.
Renejay’s journey in esports has been a story of “what ifs.” He’s come close to clinching an MPL championship and even a world title, yet these achievements have remained elusive. So we asked him, after so many near misses, why does he keep fighting?
“Unang-una, hindi ko pa siya naaachieve,” he said candidly. “At ngayong makakapag-M6 kami, hindi pa rin ako ganoon ka-satisfied kasi naramdaman ko siya noong Season 12, sobrang saya ko nang nakapasok kami ng M5, pero noong Grand Finals, naging lax ako, nag-relax ako at hindi ko nabigay yung best ko. So ngayon, ngayon ako babawi. Ibubuhos ko talaga sa Grand Finals.”
His determination is palpable. Renejay has learned from his past mistakes, and this time, he’s focused on redemption. He doesn’t just want to qualify for M6—he wants to win it.
In a more intimate moment, we reminded him of something he once told me: after Season 10, he almost gave up. The pressure, the failures, and the expectations had pushed him to the brink. When we asked him how he feels now, looking back at that dark time in his career, Renejay smiled faintly.
“Buti na lang, Renejay, hindi ka sumuko,” he said, as if speaking to his younger self. “Kasi kung sumuko ka that time, wala ka ngayon.”
And truly, if Renejay had walked away back then, we wouldn’t be witnessing the rise of Aurora PH and their fearless leader heading to M6.
But Renejay Barcarse’s story is far from over. The M6 World Championship stage awaits, and while the world will be watching, one thing is certain—Renejay will play with the same hunger and heart that has brought him this far. For him, it’s not just about proving the doubters wrong. It’s about finally proving something to himself.
“Ibubuhos ko talaga lahat.”
