The Incredible, Painful, and Inspiring Story of MPL Rookie JamesPangks
At first glance, MPL rookie James Mendoza, better known as JamesPangks, comes off as quiet and unassuming. Polite and reserved, he still finds it hard to believe that he has made it to the big stage of MPL Philippines. Yet, despite his modesty, those in the esports scene are beginning to take notice.
“Malakas yan!” exclaimed Team Liquid’s KarlTzy when asked about the 18-year-old jungler from AP BREN. A high-ranking executive from an opposing team echoed the sentiment, describing him as a player with immense potential.
But JamesPangks still finds himself in disbelief.
“Hindi ako makapaniwala na makakasabay ko sa big stage yung mga idol ko noong wala pa ako rito,” he shared with ALL-STAR.
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For JamesPangks, the road to MPL was anything but easy.
After a heartbreaking loss in the Snapdragon Pro Series this year, he had almost given up hope of reaching the MPL stage.
“Ang usapan namin noon, yung performance namin sa Snapdragon ang magdidikta ng slot namin, pero natalo kami. Nawalan na ako ng pag-asa,” he recalled. “Kaya sabi ko sa sarili ko, papatunayan ko na lang ulit yung sarili ko sa MDL.”
Determined to prove himself, he led Lazy Esports to a dominant run in MDL Season 4, securing the championship against RRQ Kaito and earning both the Finals MVP and Regular Season MVP awards. His team’s performance caught the attention of AP BREN, who swiftly brought them into their fold.
“Nagulat na lang ako na biglang inannounce na kukunin na lang kami ng AP BREN,” he said.
But JamesPangks’ biggest challenges didn’t come from esports alone.
Born and raised in Bulacan, he never met his father, and at the age of 11, he lost his mother. Forced to move between relatives, he found himself under the care of his grandmother, then his godmother, and eventually another family member in Valenzuela. Through it all, his uncle in Australia provided financial support and even offered him a chance to migrate—but JamesPangks chose to stay in the Philippines.
“Una, ayaw ko lang po talaga. Tapos noong naglaro ako ng MLBB, lalong ayaw ko na po talaga umalis dahil gusto ko maging pro player dito sa Pilipinas,” he explained.
Losing his mother was a turning point in his life. The grief nearly consumed him.
“Noong una nga po, nawawalan na ako ng gana at nawalan na rin ako ng pakialam noon. Gusto ko na rin sumunod sa Mama ko. Kasi… sobrang close ko sa Mama ko.”
For a time, anger and recklessness took over. He would often get into fights because he didn’t know how to handle his grief.
But after an invitation to church, a powerful memory of his mother saved him.
“Niyaya ako magsimba, tapos bigla kong na-realize ang bilin sa akin ng nanay ko. Sabi niya, kahit anong mangyari sa kanya, ituloy ko lang daw ang buhay ko.”
JamesPangks looked up and smiled.
“Noong una kasi hindi eh, puro lang ako kalokohan kasi nawala yung nanay ko, feeling ko wala nang direksiyon ang buhay ko,” he said.
“Sayang naman yung buhay ko kung sasayangin ko lang. Isang beses lang ako mabubuhay, na-realize ko.”
Despite a troubled youth, his innocence remained intact. We were disarmed when he proudly showcased his plants—proof that, at his core, he nurtured the most fragile of things.
“Mahilig ako magtanim!” he said with a laugh, proudly showing off his sili and calamansi plants.
“Kapag pangit yung laro o may bad day ako, hinahawakan ko lang yung mga halaman tapos parang naririnig nila ako,” he said. “Natutuwa ako kasi napalaki ko sila.”
Just the previous week before our interview, he planted more seeds. Tomatoes. Chilis. Limes.
“Where did you get all the seeds?” we asked.
“From the fridge!” he said with a grin.
And then he got his phone and showed us videos of his plants.
He was evidently proud of bringing these to life.
But his proudest moment remains to be his team’s championship in MDL Season 4.
“Hindi ko talaga malilimutan noong nag-champion kami sa MDL. First time ko lang kasi iyon sa buong career ko. Kahit noong amateur, hindi ko pa talaga nagawang mag-champion.”
JamesPangks pauses for a moment, then shares something deeply personal.
“Inalay ko po ang championship na iyon para sa sarili ko at para sa Mommy ko na nawala.”
Now, as he begins his MPL career, he reflects on the biggest lessons he has learned.
“Wala naman akong regrets, pero natutuhan ko yung patience at pakikisama. Respeto sa lahat,” he said. “Natutuhan ko makisama, marami pa! Sa tingin ko nga malaki yung pinagbago ko, ibang iba ako sa sarili ko dati.”
Secretly, he cried in his room after hearing the news of his team getting into the MPL. Just like the seeds he had planted, nurtured with patience and care, his sacrifices had finally bore fruit.
Ngayong nasa MPL na ako, sobrang… hindi ko ma-explain yung nararamdaman ng puso ko. Parang sobrang saya na sobrang… after so many sacrifices… nagbunga.”
And now that he’s here, what does he want to be known for?
“Gusto ko makilala bilang simpleng player na kayang sumabay.”
Asked if he’s ready to be anointed as the next Kairi of MPL Philippines, he remains humble.
“Ayoko. Ayoko maging ganoon. Gusto ko ako lang.”
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