MPL: Sensu1 seizes spotlight in triumphant return as Twisted Minds stuns ONIC PH

Twisted Minds’ highly anticipated clash with reigning M6 champions ONIC Philippines was thrown into uncertainty when star jungler Michael “MP the King” Endino fell ill and required medical attention just hours before the match. But out of that setback emerged a moment of redemption—Stephen “Sensu1” Castillo’s heroic return to the main stage.

For months, Sensu1 had been on the sidelines, waiting patiently as the team’s sixth man. On this night, however, he proved that greatness isn’t measured by playing time but by the impact delivered when opportunity comes knocking.

In a Facebook post, head coach Kristoffer “Bon Chan” Ricaplaza confirmed MP the King’s condition, explaining the sudden lineup change. “Noong nandoon na kami sa holding area, doon na-check ng mga safety officers yung condition ni MP dahil nakaramdam siya ng hindi maganda, so sabi namin na wag na niyang pilitin.

 Siya, gusto pa niya talaga. Sabi ko kung ipipilit pa niya iyan, baka mas mapasama pa,” Bon Chan said, putting player health ahead of competition. 

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HUGE BOUNCE BACK

Twisted Minds PH pull a reverse sweep of ONIC PH to secure a bounce back win in the regular season of MPL Philippines, 2-1.#MPLPHSeason16 #MLBB #MobileLegendsBangBang #Esports

MPL/Richard Esguerra pic.twitter.com/NzKAu3P5Fy

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) September 6, 2025

Despite losing Game 1, Sensu1’s steady hand in the jungle steadied Twisted Minds. His Akai pick in Game 2 disrupted ONIC PH’s aggressive style, forcing a series decider. In the do-or-die Game 3, Sensu1 elevated his play further, perfectly timing retributions to secure three Turtles and three Lords—swinging the match firmly in Twisted Minds’ favor. 

Bon Chan praised the substitute’s composure, saying: “Nung nalaman namin na hindi makakalaro si MP, sabi ko, ‘Sige, ikaw Sensu1 muna maglaro and yung mga prinepare natin na draft magiging freestyle.’ Ang kinaganda nun, kahit ako hindi ko alam kung saan tayo mauuwing draft, ano pa kaya yung kalaban? G naman silang lahat. Sobrang nag-step up din talaga si Sensu1.”

For Sensu1, it was a moment years in the making. Though often outside the spotlight, he never allowed himself to fall behind. “Kahit 6th man po ako parang nandoon pa rin po yung init ko sa laro, parang hindi po ako nag stop maglaro, nanonood pa rin po ako ng mga scrims, tapos buong araw po kami naglalaro ng RG, kaya ko pa rin sumabay,” he said, likening his constant grind to sharpening a blade that must never grow dull.

His performance also served as a reminder that the current assassin-heavy meta isn’t the only way to succeed. With unmatched mastery of tank junglers, Sensu1 showed that heroes like Akai remain deadly when executed with precision.

From his early days inheriting the jungle mantle for Blacklist International in the wake of Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario’s hiatus, to now rekindling that UBE-inspired discipline under Twisted Minds, Sensu1’s story is one of persistence and readiness. Against ONIC PH, he didn’t just fill in—he delivered. 

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