Coach Arsy, the Most Underrated Coach in MPL Philippines
Rodel Cruz, aka Coach Arsy of Team Liquid Philippines, has quietly established himself as a strategic mastermind. His journey from nurturing talent in Myanmar to orchestrating impressive performances in MPL Philippines Season 15 is all because of his tactical brilliance and leadership that deserves greater recognition.
Coach Arsy is underrated not because he lacks results, but because his brilliance isn’t loud. He doesn’t chase headlines or flex with flashy speeches. He builds systems, molds players, and wins games quietly. Most people talk about star players, clutch moments, or highlight reels — but few recognize that behind every smooth rotation or flawless draft is a coach like Arsy pulling the strings.
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From Myanmar’s Hope to TLPH’s Strategic Pillar
Coach Arsy’s coaching journey began with Falcon Esports in Myanmar, where he led the team to a dominant 4-0 victory over the Burmese Ghouls in the MLBB Mid-Season Cup 2024 – Myanmar Qualifier. Under his guidance, Falcon Esports achieved a commendable 5th-6th place finish at the M6 World Championship, showcasing the potential of Myanmar’s esports scene despite the absence of an official league since 2020.
His emotional plea during the M6 World Championship highlighted his dedication: “I want to request to bring back MPL in Myanmar. I can sacrifice being part of a Filipino team just to [be part of Myanmar team] again next year.”
Now with TLPH, he takes the role of more than a coach: He is mentor, disciplinarian, and chef. At times, he would cook for the players some of the specialties he learned during his time as head chef at a five-star hotel.
Transforming Team Liquid Philippines in Season 15
In early 2025, Coach Arsy helmed Team Liquid Philippines, succeeding Archie “Tictac” Reyes. Despite initial pressures, he quickly proved his mettle. Under his leadership, Team Liquid PH achieved a flawless 2-0 record in the opening week of MPL PH Season 15, securing back-to-back sweeps against Team Falcons PH and Twisted Minds.
Six weeks into MPL Philippines Season 14, Team Liquid Philippines sits comfortably atop the standings with a 10-1 record—largely credited to Coach Arsy’s masterful drafting and deep understanding of the evolving meta. But on top of his masterful drafts, he also credits the players’ discipline.
“Siguro masasabi ko sa team ko is ibang-iba yung discipline at chemistry namin, hindi lang inside the game kundi pati sa labas,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
Tactical Acumen
Coach Rodel “Arsy” Cruz has demonstrated exceptional strategic acumen in MPL Philippines Season 15, particularly through his innovative drafting choices that have propelled Team Liquid Philippines to a strong start. Some of his most explosive drafts were seen in Week 1 of Season 15.
In their opening match against Team Falcons in Week 1, Coach Arsy’s draft allowed Kiel “Oheb” Soriano to shine in his debut for Team Liquid PH. By selecting Harith for Oheb in Game 2, the team leveraged his mobility and burst damage, leading to a flawless performance with six kills, five assists, and zero deaths. This strategic pick enabled Team Liquid to dominate the match, closing it out in just over 12 minutes without conceding any objectives to Team Falcons PH.
In the same week, they faced Twisted Minds. Coach Arsy employed an aggressive early-game strategy. In Game 1, the selection of Hilda for Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya provided frontline disruption, while Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno’s Joy pick offered high mobility and damage. This combination led to a decisive 10-2 victory. In Game 2, the draft featured Suyou for KarlTzy, resulting in a dominant performance with nine kills and four assists, culminating in a swift nine-minute win.
Coach Arsy didn’t come into the MPL with the pedigree of a champion coach. He built it brick by brick—from the street corners of the Philippines to the sidelines of Yangon, from cooking five-star dishes to cooking up five-man rotations.
If you’re wondering where genius lives in the MPL—look past the noise, the cameras, the big names. Look for the man with the clipboard, the calm eyes, the steady hands. You’ll find Coach Arsy in the dugout, already planning the next move.
Yet you rarely hear his name in the same breath as the “legendary” coaches in the scene. That’s what makes him underrated — the skill is elite, but the spotlight hasn’t caught up yet.
So yeah — Arsy isn’t just underrated. He’s the kind of genius you only appreciate once you realize he’s been outplaying everyone all along.
