MPL PH: Ch4knu leads TNC’s late-season push: “All in” mindset fuels MPL PH playoff chase

With the playoff race nearing its breaking point in MPL Philippines Season 16, TNC’s veteran roamer Joshua “Ch4knu” Mangilog isn’t interested in playing it safe — he’s betting everything on heart, hustle, and experience.

In a season where every map and match point matters, the Hall of Legends inductee knows what it takes to thrive under pressure. For him, this late-season surge isn’t about reinventing the wheel — it’s about belief and execution.

“Ninety percent siguro (chance na makapasok sa playoffs), kase yung mga nasa baba, mga lower standing sa’min, mga tinalo namin. Kumbaga pag pumantay yung points, medyo kami yung ahead,” he confidently shared in an exclusive interview with Tiebreaker Times.

That quiet confidence comes from experience. Ch4knu has lived through both heartbreaking eliminations and deep playoff runs, making him the team’s emotional anchor amid the high-stakes grind. 

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TNC Pro Team officially announces Ch4knu as their new addition to the team for the upcoming MPL PH Season 16 https://t.co/7abrKcBw1G #pinoygamer #ph #philppines pic.twitter.com/NGkDk0dp8Q

— PinoyGamer (@pinoygamerph) August 15, 2025

But he admits the same can’t be said for his younger teammates, who are still learning to embrace the tension that comes with fighting for survival.

“Siguro wala na (advantage) kase same same lang. Kumbaga ako lang naman kasi yung may advantage sa kampi ko eh, yung mga kampi ko mga di sanay (sa naghahabol ng points), kumbaga pang sa’kin lang,” he explained.

For the 29-year-old roamer, the key is consistency — treating every remaining match with the urgency of a final. And as the season edges closer to the playoff cutoff, TNC’s fate will hinge not just on their skill, but on their ability to channel pressure into performance.

“Same lang sa mga laban namin, mas paghahandaan lang namin kasi laglagan siya, do-or-die, i-o-all in namin,” Ch4knu said. “Same preparation lang, double effort nalang din, parang another grind, dagdag ng games kase dalawa yung laban tsaka laglagan.”

At this stage, there’s no room for hesitation — only conviction.

“All in na, kase dito na magkakaalaman kung pupunta ba sa Cuneta,” he declared, referring to the iconic Cuneta Astrodome, home of the MPL PH playoffs.

Whether it’s his veteran calm or unshakable belief, Ch4knu’s presence remains TNC’s biggest weapon. And as the league enters its final stretch, his message is clear — this isn’t just about making the playoffs; it’s about proving that experience, grit, and heart can still carry the day in a game ruled by youth and speed.

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