Why TNC’s Owner Kept Faith—Even After a Very Long Losing Streak
Eric Redulfin was celebrating his team’s third win streak after a major overhaul for MPL PH Season 15 brought in superstars and legends. Among the people around the table were Dogie and Yawi, along with some members of TNC’s management team. The rest of the players sat at a different table, but before everyone ate, they huddled around Eric.
“Hindi ko muna kayo babatiin ng congratulations, good luck na lang muna! Paparating pa lang tayo sa goal natin,” said Eric.
It was the first time in so many years that TNC won three consecutive series in MPL Philippines. Last season, the team finished with a humiliating 0-14 record led by celebrated analyst-turned-coach Caisam “Wolf” Nopueto.
TNC finished bottom at the MPL for five consecutive seasons.
Eric Redulfin is the founding chairman of the TNC Group, which includes cyber cafes, study hubs, events management, broadcast & production, and full marketing services. An offshoot of this group is the TNC Pro Team. A decade ago, TNC shocked the Dota world when it ousted OG in TI6. It was the first Filipino team to carve its name in international esports. That moment was called “The Miracle of TI6.”
Sadly, TNC has been short of miracles for the past several years.
“What kept you pushing forward?” we asked Eric.
“Mayroon kasi tayong goal. Kapag sinukuan mo yung goal mo, wala kang mapapatunayan. Limang beses pa nga lang natatalo, susuko ka na?” said Eric.
We were taken aback by his choice of words. Our jaw hit the floor.
“Limang beses?! I cried because of that! I was sad with your players while we hugged each other after they were eliminated!” we said.
Eric picked up our accusatory tone but smiled benevolently.
“Hangga’t kaya, hindi ako susuko. Parang sa negosyo kasi iyan, hindi ka magiging successful doon sa craft na gusto mo kung susukuan mo agad,” said Eric.
But what did he feel when his team lost repeatedly, or what was the most painful season for him?
“Pinakamasakit siguro yung kapag sumuko kami. Pero hangga’t hindi kami sumusuko, okay lang iyon. Kumbaga, pagsubok lang iyon,” he said.
For many people, it’s hard to understand the “bawi next time” culture of TNC. But if you’re someone like Eric Redulfin, winning is just half of the team’s goals.
He strives to change lives and make a lasting impact on those who work and compete for TNC. It was no accident when TNC picked up Escalera, a former jeepney driver who turned pro player, thanks to TNC.
When TNC finished bottom in Season 12, Eric increased all its players’ salaries by 50 percent the following season. Half of its players were also enrolled in scholarships.
“Para sa akin, life-changing ba, kasi gusto natin talagang maipakita na ang esports is a career,” said Eric.
“Kapag hindi natin sinuportahan ang esports ng mga ganoong action, syempre, yung mga magulang na shaky pa sa opinion nila about esports, hindi natin sila makukuhanan ng suporta,” Eric added.
Even as TNC struggled, Eric never wavered in his advocacy.
“Kahit na nakikita natin na hindi okay yung run namin, hindi tayo sumusuko. Isa kami sa mga pioneers ng advocacy na pagandahin ang industriya ng esports. So kung ako susuko, medyo kwan iyon… Pero para sa akin hindi, kasi mahal ko ang industriya. Mahal ko ang industriya.”
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Eric Redulfin: TNC needed to create a miracle for esports
Esports started as a business for Eric, but it quickly evolved into something more profound.
“Para lumaki yung industriya ng esports, lalo na sa Pilipinas kung saan hindi naman ganoon ka-acceptable ang esports noon, isa sa mga pwede naming gawin ay gumawa ng miracle for esports. Kasi for other countries, sikat na yung esports,” he said.
Their goal at TNC was never just about winning games—it was about shaping lives.
“Ang gusto naming gawin sana, lahat ng players namin, dapat mababago namin sila, hindi lang bilang mga professional players, kundi maging mabubuting tao rin sila. Para paglabas nila sa TNC, professional na sila. Iyon ang gusto naming mangyari,” Eric said.
Many TNC players who left the organization flourished elsewhere.
“Si Kramm, si Innocent, sobrang proud kami sa kanila. Nacha-chat pa nga sila sa amin, pumupunta pa sila sa bahay mismo, nagpapasalamat,” said Joshua Angeles, CEO of TNC Pro Team.
Through the years, Eric has poured millions into the TNC Group, including over 200 million pesos lost during the pandemic. Yet, he continued to push forward.
“Kung takot ka ng malugi, hindi ka negosyante,” he stated bluntly.
Despite financial setbacks, he never considered abandoning esports.
“Sabi ko nga, hangga’t may nakikita tayong potential na mag-grow ang industriya at ang business, hindi natin bibitawan iyon. Lahat naman ng klase ng business may ups and downs. Ang tanong na lang doon ay paano natin maiaangat yung pababa. Gagawa ka ng paraan.”
Why TNC took a gamble on Dogie
Eric’s resilience extends to TNC’s repeated struggles in the MPL.
“For how many consecutive seasons na, as in kulelat talaga kami! Yung last season nga namin as in zero wins! Pero sa amin, okay lang kasi maraming lessons. Maraming lessons doon sa pagkatalo,” Eric said.
In MPL Philippines Season 15, Eric took a gamble on Dogie, a popular but polarizing figure in the esports community.
“Si Dogie, ininterview ko siya at nakita ko yung puso niya. Yung dedication niya. Sabi niya, ‘Sir, bigyan mo ako ng chance. Gagawin ko yung best ko.’”
Eric gave him that chance.
“Sabi ko, ‘Sige, hindi ka namin pakikialaman.’”
“Yung usap namin with Dogie, kalahating araw iyon. May mga luhang tumulo noon, pero hindi siya mabigat. Lumabas talaga yung puso sa esports,” Joshua recalled.
Dogie didn’t just bring experience—he brought financial support, personally covering the buyout, salaries, and even rent for the boot camp.
After years of hardship, is this the season TNC finally rises again? Maybe.
But if there’s one lesson Eric has learned in esports, it is never giving up on your goals.
“Wag mo talagang susukuan. Kasi ang esports, just like any sports industry, may ups and downs. So pagka lagi kang talunan, dapat hanapin mo kung bakit ka natatalo. From there, makaka-bounce back ka. Wag mo lang talagang susukuan. Ang lesson doon, all mistakes have solutions. Laging may solusyon.”
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