Inside Coach Panda’s Legendary Notebooks

Coach Panda’s notebooks have taken on a mythical status in the MPL Philippines. To fans, they’re sacred scrolls. To fellow coaches, elusive artifacts. To Panda himself, they are memory, method, and mirror—a chronicle of every draft plotted, every player guided, every sleepless night dissecting replays from leagues halfway across the world. What started as a habit in 2018 has since become a living archive of Philippine esports history, page by page.

Even after Coach Panda left MPL PH, his notebooks still evoke the stuff of legend—proof of why he’s respected as a master of adaptation and post-loss adjustments. From the anatomy of player emotions, opponent scouting to post-scrim reflections—each page layered with strategy and soul.

In this interview Brian Lim, aka Coach Panda, we delve into his legendary notebooks—part playbook, part diary, and a quiet cornerstone of Philippine esports history.

ALL-STAR: When did you first start using the notebook, and what inspired the habit?

Coach Panda: I started using a notebook around 2018, during the early days of my coaching career in Arkangel. It began as a simple way to keep track of drafts and player tendencies, but over time it became a habit. I’ve always believed that writing things down helps organize my thoughts better. Especially in high-pressure environments, writing things down to organize my thoughts and giving the players prepared reminders was important to me. 

ALL-STAR:  Did the notebooks always have the same purpose, or did they evolve over the seasons?

Coach Panda: It has definitely evolved. In the beginning, it was primarily for tracking picks and bans. However, as I grew as a coach, the content became more comprehensive—team goals, reflections after scrims, notes on player mindset, and opponent analysis. It transformed into more of a coaching diary, not just a playbook. It evolved with the team, just as I did. 

ALL-STAR:  Why write things down instead of using a tablet or laptop like other coaches?

Coach Panda: For me, it’s more of a source of personal attachment. I am used to writing things down when I study, so that comfort zone is also reflected in my coaching style. The act of writing connects me more to the process. Everyone has their own style—this just happens to be mine.

ALL-STAR:  Without revealing secrets, what typically goes into the notebook? Match drafts? Opponent tendencies? Player habits?

Coach Panda: Yes, all of those. Draft ideas, opponent draft patterns, our scrim performance, even some notes on how players are feeling or what they’re struggling with. Sometimes, I jot down reminders—like mental notes to encourage a player or adjust how I deliver feedback. It’s a mix of strategy and human connection. 

Additionally, I take notes on drafts and in-game analyses of other teams, particularly international MPL and occasionally underground league games. That’s why I occasionally find myself sleeping around 5 am after overseeing all the local and international matches. 

ALL-STAR: Have players ever asked to read it? Or are its contents strictly for you?

Coach Panda: Some players have been curious, of course, and I’ve shared parts of it when I feel it can help them grow or understand the plan better. However, most of it is just for me. It’s where I think, reflect, and prepare. The players respect that, and I respect their process in return.

ALL-STAR:  Can you recall a key moment when something in the notebooks directly led to a win or pivotal decision?

Coach Panda: Yes—there was a match during MPL PH Season 9 where we were preparing for a strong team with particular draft habits and pocket strategy. Because of previous notes and patterns I had tracked, we were able to predict their draft order and counter it effectively. It gave us the edge we needed, and we won a key match that helped us secure our spot in the playoffs.

ALL-STAR:  The notebooks gained a sort of “mythical” reputation in the MPL community. How did you feel about that?

Coach Panda: It’s honestly very touching. I never expected something so simple to be noticed like that. I’m just doing what works for me, and to see people appreciate it—even calling it “mythical”—is a reminder that hard work and consistency can stand out, even in quiet ways.

ALL-STAR:  I consider your notebooks as esports artifacts. Do you also plan to preserve them?

Coach Panda: Thank you—that means a lot. Yes, I keep all of them. Each notebook represents a chapter of my journey and the team’s growth. I look back at them sometimes, and it helps me reflect on how far we’ve come. I plan to keep them for as long as I can. The ones in the picture are only from LPE – RSG days, the other ones are kept safe in another location. 

ALL-STAR: What advice would you give to new coaches about developing their own “notebook,” whether literal or figurative?

Coach Panda: Find a system that helps you think clearly and stay organized. It doesn’t have to be a notebook—it could be spreadsheets, voice notes, or anything that aids your reflection, planning, and improvement. What matters most is consistency and honesty in your process. Be open to learning from every match, mistake, and conversation. Small atomic habits can lead to gradual growth and help create a new identity. 

ALL-STAR: If the notebook could talk, what would it say about the evolution of Coach Panda?

Coach Panda: It would probably say, “He didn’t stop learning.” The pages are filled with ups and downs, lessons from wins and losses, and reminders to stay humble and hungry. It would say I grew not just as a coach, but as a person who cares deeply about his team and this game.