“I still can’t believe I made that mistake”: Bennyqt after TNC loss vs TLPH at MPL PH Season 16

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In the aftermath of TNC’s fall, Bennyqt relives the split-second decision that haunts him.

TNC Pro Team had a major breakthrough in the MPL PH Season 16 Playoffs. They defeated ONIC Philippines, the previous world champions, and advanced to the Upper Bracket Final – their best result since placing third in Season 9.

Their impressive journey ended with a tough 4-1 loss to Team Liquid PH in the Lower Bracket Final. Instead of the comeback story they hoped for, the defeat left them feeling regretful and disappointed. For Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales, the loss was especially difficult, as he felt he could have made a difference in the outcome.

In a recent interview with Xpsp, TNC’s Bennyqt discussed the crucial moment that led to their loss and the valuable lessons they learned from the disappointing outcome.

The moment it slipped away

This was the fifth game of a best-of-seven series between TLPH and TNC. TLPH was one win away from winning the series, while TNC needed a victory to keep their hopes alive and try to come back.

Around 14 minutes into the game, TLPH aggressively pushed down the bottom lane with the help of a Lord. TNC needed to react quickly or they would struggle to stay in the game. 3MarTzy and Zaida were defending their mid and top lanes, attempting to protect their remaining towers, while the rest of the team focused on stopping the Lord’s advance.

TNC’s Bennyqt spotted a chance to make a move, but he was the only one on his team who recognized it. He briefly considered going for it, but Team Liquid PH quickly countered. Oheb grabbed Bennyqt with his hero Ruby, and Sanji’s Lunox finished the job. Bennyqt was the team’s main damage dealer, and with him out of the fight, their strategy fell apart.

I was eager to jump into the fight, so I checked with my team to see if they were ready. I paused, waiting for their response, but what I saw didn’t match what they seemed to be seeing. Now, I realize my biggest mistake was not taking the initiative myself. I believe they would have supported my decision regardless, and things might have turned out better if I had.

Bennyqt

Some moments define a game, and even a player’s career. For TNC’s Bennyqt, a tiny hesitation – a brief pause between reacting and speaking – proved to be the crucial split second that altered everything. You can see the play in the video linked below.

After the loss, TNC’s room fell quiet.

Bennyqt shared that he hadn’t spoken much with his teammates since the competition ended. He explained he was very upset and kept dwelling on his own mistakes, making it difficult to talk to them, especially after the final match.

It’s not always about losing to a better team that hurts the most. Often, the real disappointment comes from knowing you could have played differently – that a single choice might have changed the outcome. That’s what happened as TLPH secured the win, ultimately defeating Aurora Gaming in the grand finals to claim the MPL PH Season 16 championship.

TNC Pro Team, a squad reborn

Despite the pain, TNC’s Season 16 campaign revealed something about their core identity.

Bennyqt explained that their team excels at refining and improving what they’re already good at. While their performance fluctuated during the regular season with periods of strong and weak play, they found consistency in the playoffs. Everyone stayed focused and worked together seamlessly.

It was clear in their performance. TNC overcame incredible challenges, defeating many of the league’s top teams and consistently exceeding expectations with each game.

We weren’t expected to do well heading into the playoffs – most people thought Aurora would go further. Even our match against Twisted Minds PH had people questioning if we could win. But the team didn’t pay attention to the doubters. They had confidence in their own abilities, in each other, and in the coaching staff, and that’s what drove us this far.

The weight of regret

This loss clearly affected TNC’s Bennyqt more than usual. Although he remained calm while speaking, a touch of sadness and disappointment was visible beneath his stoic expression.

He admitted he was still upset about the error he’d made. They’d prepared for months, but it all led to a loss, and he wasn’t sure how to recover. He explained that during important games, he often has a plan but second-guesses himself, which causes him to fail and appear unprepared.

He described Game 5 as his breaking point, the hardest to process.

He said quietly, “I really believed we could win. I told the team that if we won Game 5, we’d be in a great position to make the right changes for Game 6. But I had the chance to take the winning shot and I froze—that’s what I’m most upset about.”

What comes next for Bennyqt

When asked what he plans to do now, TNC Bennyqt paused.

He admitted he needed time to come to terms with the loss. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do next, saying he usually feels like taking a break after a tough series like this – perhaps even sitting out a season to rest and recharge, and that’s how he feels now.

He’s faced challenges like this before. But as a highly experienced gold laner in MPL PH, Bennyqt understands that taking time to learn from experiences is key to improving.

When asked to describe TNC’s Season 16, Bennyqt says he only needs a single word to capture the team’s story, and he immediately knew what that word was.

TNC proved to be a formidable team this season, capable of surprising anyone who overlooked them. While their journey wasn’t flawless, they consistently showed real strength and reminded everyone they’re a threat, even when they seem quiet. They nearly qualified for MPL PH Season 16, and now the question is whether they can go even further next season. Only time will tell.

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2025-10-29 13:12