Adrian “Toshi” Bacallo, once a staple professional player in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) scene is making waves again, this time in another MOBA title.
After stepping away from competitive gaming and nearly walking away from esports altogether, Toshi is back on the battlefield, determined to rewrite his story in Honor of Kings (HoK).
His rise in MPL Philippines was full of promise. Competing from Seasons 4 to 8, he earned the respect of fans and players alike. But after a rocky stint with Omega Esports and TNC Pro Team, his career took a downturn.
Feeling the weight of missed opportunities, Toshi left the spotlight behind. “I wasn’t all-in back then,” he reflects. “I wasted the chance I had.”
Now, with a new game, new challenges, and a renewed sense of purpose, Toshi is ready for a second shot and this time, he is not holding back.
Toshi almost quit his career in esports
Toshi began his career as the primary gold laner for SGD Omega, helping the team secure a third-place finish in MPL PH Season 4.
In MPL PH Season 6, under the rebranded Smart Omega, Toshi came tantalizingly close to the championship. But despite their efforts, they couldn’t overcome the powerhouse Bren Esports, the same squad that would go on to claim the MPL PH crown and M2 World Championship title.
After a disappointing run in MPL PH Season 7, Toshi made the move to TNC Pro Team the following season, hoping to recapture his spark. But the rhythm that once made him a standout player eluded him, leaving Toshi feeling out of sync.
Burdened by missed opportunities and fading momentum, he stepped away from the competitive scene, haunted by what felt like wasted potential.
For a time, he even considered leaving esports altogether. “I went back to school, studying criminology in Tarlac. I thought maybe my career in esports was over,” he said.
However, the allure of competition never left him. Just when it seemed like his story was over, fate threw him a curveball.
His former manager introduced him to HoK and told him that the game was going to make waves. With regrets weighing heavily on his mind, Toshi decided to take one last shot at redemption.
Going all-in on a new dream in another mobile MOBA title
With a sense of unfinished business, Toshi didn’t just switch games — he left the Philippines altogether, signing with Dominator Esports, an esports organization based in Indonesia.
It was his first time playing overseas. “Being away from home wasn’t easy,” he admits. “I miss the Philippines so much—especially Jollibee. No gravy here,” he jokes.
But homesickness was only part of the adjustment. Moving from MLBB to HoK meant adapting to a different kind of gameplay. “In ML, you could carry the game solo if you were good enough,” the Filipino pro explains. “But in HoK, you can’t win alone. Everyone has to move as one unit. It’s all about teamwork.”
Now, the Filipino pro is committed to seeing his redemption arc through with HoK. “This time, I’m all in,” he says. “In ML, I wasn’t fully committed. But now, I’m giving it everything I’ve got. This is my redemption arc.”
For him, the future is uncertain, but he’s not looking back. “For now, I’m focused on HoK. This is where I am, and this is where I belong.”
READ MORE: A new MOBA era: What Honor of Kings esports could look like in the near future
