JAKARTA, Indonesia Honor of Kings (HoK) Filipino player Adrian "Toshi" Bacallo said Friday he hopes his stint with Indonesia-based Dominator Esports would kickstart his "redemption era" in the esports scene.

When asked if he would go back to playing professionally in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) if given the chance, Toshi said he would be in HoK "for good."

"For good na ako sa HoK kasi parang redemption arc ko na 'tong sa HoK. Sa ML parang sinayang ko 'yung mayroon ako no'n tapos ngayon parang all in ako," Toshi told PH media.

(I'm staying for good in HoK because this is like my redemption arc. I wasted my opportunities back when I was playing ML but now, I'm all in.)

"Dati parang hindi ako all in sa career ko, parang pinabayaan ko. Ngayon mas all in ako. Ibang Toshi na ito," he added.

(Back then, it was like I was not all in on my career. I wasted it. Now I'm all in. This is a different Toshi now.)

Toshi last played in ML:BB with TNC Pro Team before retiring from the game's professional scene and moving to HoK with all-Filipino team BOOM Esports and Dominator Esports.

Iy4knu, Toshi join list of veterans taking a break in MPL Season 9

The pro player from Tarlac also shared that while he has regrets from his previous ML:BB career, he was able to use it to propel his trajectory now in a new in-game environment.

"Sinasabi ko 'yung regrets parang learning experience lang sa akin para mag-grow. Tinulungan ako ng regrets [ko na makapunta] kung asan ako ngayon. Kung wala 'yun, wala ako dito sa harap niyo," he said.

(I use my regrets in my past as my learning experience to grow. My regrets helped me get to where I am now. If it wasn't for my regrets, I wouldn't be standing here in from of you now.)

And although he has regrets from his previous esports stint, he was still able to take some in-game training to his advantage in preparation for HoK.

Even though Toshi's currently on a good trajectory in his renewed esports career, he still had moments of doubt if he could still continue being an esports player.

"Oo na-try ko na 'yung parang hindi ko na kayang maging esports athlete. Parang locked na ako. Nag-aaral ako no'n eh then may hulog ng langit na sabi ng manager naming dati if gusto kong i-try 'yung [HoK]... Sumugal ako, why not give it another shot kasi may mga regrets ako sa dati kong laro," he said.

(I've experienced feeling like I can't continue being an esports athlete anymore. I felt like I was locked in place. I was studying back then when my manager asked me if I wanted to try HoK... I took a chance on it and thought why not give it another shot since I wanted to redeem myself from my regrets in my past game.)

Toshi is the lone Filipino player in Dominator Esports and is set to face Malaysian team Black Shrew Esports on Saturday (October 26, 2024) at the upper bracket final of the 2024 Honor of Kings Championship.

This, after Blacklist International crashed out of the tournament, falling victim to Malaysia-based team Nova Esports in the lower bracket.

Blacklist bows out of Honor of Kings tourney

Another Filipino pro player who transitioned to Honor of Kings is Eleazar "Azar" Salle who last played for Team Secret in League of Legends: Wild Rift.

Currently, Azar is playing for all-Filipino team BOOM Esports in Honor of Kings.

The HoK released globally on June 20, 2024.