Many fans look up to RRQ Hoshi’s Rivaldi “R7” Fatah. As the team captain of one of the biggest Mobile Legends: Bang Bang organizations in Indonesia, R7 shoulders heavy responsibilities in-game, where he calls the shots and rallies the team when they’re falling behind.
But according to him, being a team captain is about more than just helping the team in the Land of Dawn. Outside the game, he is tasked with elevating the organization and the esports scene in the region.
In fact, for R7, the most challenging part of being the brains behind the team does not have anything to do with MLBB at all.
In an exclusive interview with ONE Esports after their win against EVOS SG at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup 2022 (MSC 2022), the team’s EXP laner talked about the challenges he faces as team captain and the hardest thing he has had to overcome as the leader of four-time MPL ID champions.
“The most challenging part about being the team captain is dealing with the fans,” said the 23-year-old. “It’s because some fans in Indonesia keep barking to PH fans for nothing.”
The rivalry between both regions has been a focal point in competitive MLBB for years now. With both regions among the strongest in the game, PH and Indonesia have met in the grand finals of several international tournaments, including the M3 World Championship, ONE Esports MPL Invitational 2021, and the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
As such, fans from both sides frequently clash during the live streams, engaging in heated conversations even on social media pages. During MPLI 2021, the situation even reached a point where Blacklist International’s Instagram page was suspended following mass reporting by trolls after they lost to ONIC Esports in the grand final.
R7 has just one piece of advice for all the diehard Indonesian fans. “Don’t make Indonesians look bad,” he said.
But despite these challenges, being team captain still has its perks. After all, not everyone has the honor of leading the King of Kings to their fourth title at MPL ID Season 9.
“The best thing about being the team captain is winning championships,” he added.
RRQ Hoshi will be looking to make yet another grand final when they face Todak on June 15 at 6 p.m. GMT+8 in the upper bracket semifinal of MSC 2022.
Check out ONE Esports’ Facebook page for more updates.
