KUALA LUMPUR — For only nearly a year, Filipino import Mark “KramM” Rusiana has already become a beloved Mobile Legends: Bang Bang icon in Malaysia.
The Pinoy exp laner, who took a huge risk and flew abroad to look for greener pastures last January, was one of the reasons behind the rise of Malaysia in the ML:BB scene, helping the Selangor Red Giants rule the Mid-Season Cup for the country’s first international title before they clinched the inaugural back-to-back titles in MPL Malaysia.
It now begs the question of whether he’s up to do more for the nation.
With the maiden Esports Olympics coming in 2025 and a lot more international events like the SEA Games, member countries are expected to send the best of the best there is, as they look to write glory in global scale.
Athletes, of course, would want to strut their stuff in what could be the biggest esport events in the world—the Olympics.
KramM agreed, saying he obviously wants to represent the Philippines in the highly-anticipated Olympics and deliver a gold medal, but stressed he’s also open to being a naturalized citizen for Malaysia if ever he doesn’t get the chance to banner his own country.
“Siguro kung may chance ako na makapag-try out ako sa Sibol, gusto kong maglaro sa Sibol, and kung bibigyan ako ng chance, maglalaro ako doon,” he told Philippine media in M6 World Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
KramM and John “Innocent” Banal’s entry into Malaysia proved to be a game changer with the duo helping SRG emerge as one of the successful clubs this year. From ruling the MPL Malaysia Seasons 13 and 14 to reigning supreme in the Mid-Season Cup (MSC) 2024 that was previously ruled by the Philippines and Indonesia, SRG is now a force to be reckoned with in the community.
They also made waves in the ongoing M6 World Championship, reaching the top three as they fell to Team Liquid Indonesia in the lower bracket finals.
With his success in Malaysia, though, KramM said his priority is to represent his home country if it comes to it.
“Kumbaga uunahin ko muna ‘yung Pilipinas. Kung may chance ako na maglaro sa Pinas, feel ko itutuloy ko. Pero kung wala, ico-consider ko ‘yung Malaysia. Open po [ako doon sa naturalization],” he added.
Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) executive director Marlon Marcelo, meanwhile, shared that they will call for tryouts for the national team to be sent to the Olympics and even floated the idea that some countries could naturalize the Filipino local athletes given their proven caliber in the ML:BB.
“We expect a very robust tryouts kung sa Olympic Esports at nagtawag na tayo ng Avengers, baka magliparan talaga ang mga best of the best. Kasi Olympics iba na ang usapan dito eh,” Marcelo told select members of the press last Friday.
“So tatawagin natin sila, para tayong si Nick Fury. Imagine n’yo (pwedeng lima) ‘yung coach natin sa Olympics (kung may) ML:BB, kasing dami na ng player na maglalaro.”
“Unless bibigyan talaga sila (ng roles sa countries na nilalaruan nila). Kasi we see the future na aabot na sa gano’n, baka may naturalization na rin na mangyari at kunin ‘yung mga best athletes natin para sa bansa nila.”
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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