KarlTzy

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KarlTzy
Current team
TeamTeam Liquid PH
RoleJungler
GameMobile Legends: Bang Bang
LeagueMPL Philippines
Personal information
NameKarl Gabriel Nepomuceno
Nickname(s)Karl
The Young GOAT
Born (2004-08-22) August 22, 2004 (age 21)
Imus, Cavite
Career information
Playing career2018–present
Team history
2018Finesse Solid
2018–2019SGD Omega
2019–2021Bren Esports
2021–presentTeam Liquid PH
Career highlights and awards
  • 2x World champion (M2, M4)
  • 1x World Finals MVP (M2)
  • 1x MSC champion (2025)
  • 5x MPL Philippines champion (S6, S11, S13, S15, S16)
  • 1x MPL Philippines Finals MVP (S6)
  • 1x MPL Philippines Regular Season MVP (S12)
  • 5x MPL Philippines All-Star Team 1 selection (S6, S11, S13, S15, S16)
Medal record
Esports
Representing  Philippines
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2019 Philippines Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Gold medal – first place 2025 Bangkok Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

Karl Gabriel Nepomuceno (born August 22, 2004), commonly known by his in-game name KarlTzy or simply Karl, is a Filipino professional esports player and influencer for the multiplayer online battle arena mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Since turning pro in 2018, he has played for four teams in his entire career, winning two world championships, one mid-season cup, and five MPL trophies.

Born and raised in Imus, Cavite, Nepomuceno debuted in the MLBB professional scene with Finesse Solid during Season 2.[1] He'd be absorbed to SGD Omega the following season[2] and was being called by many as a “prodigy” to the game for his gifted mechanical skills on high-tiered heroes. In 2019, he became one of the representatives for the Philippine national team in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games on home soil.[3] In the debutant tournament, Nepomuceno helped team Philippines win its first of many gold medals, making him one of the youngest SEA Games gold medalists in history.

During the pandemic, he represented the Philippines with Bren Esports to the M2 World Championships in Singapore. Joined by the likes of FlapTzy, Ribo, Coco, and Lasty, Bren became the final lifeline of the Philippines after an early lower bracket exit from co-patriots Smart Omega.[4] Nepomuceno rallied and carried the team to the Finals, the first Filipino team to appear in the Grand Finale against Burmese representatives Burmese Ghouls. Nepomuceno won his first title with Bren[5] and won Finals MVP in M2 with the team choosing Lancelot as their championship skin.[6]

In the offseason of MPL Philippines Season 8, Nepomuceno joined ECHO Philippines with Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera and Frediemar “3MarTzy” Serafico to form a “super team”.[7] After a brief setback for Seasons 9 and 10 in the local scene, Nepomuceno won his second world title with ECHO Philippines, sweeping then-defending champions Blacklist International in the Grand Finals of the M4 World Championships in Indonesia.[8] To this day, Nepomuceno is the only player to win two-world titles from two different teams and is one of three players to win two-championships, the other being his former teammates FlapTzy and Pheww. Nepomuceno would achieve his own feat by completing the MLBB trophy cabinet by winning the Mid-Season Cup in 2025 in Saudi Arabia, the only trophy that alluded Nepomuceno's career.[9]

He's been named as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) of Mobile Legends Esports for his consistency in high-pressured play seven years in his professional career.[10] He was inducted to the MPL Philippines Hall of Legends in Season 10 and became synonymous in high-mechanical assassin hero picks like the aforementioned Lancelot and Yi Sun-Shin.

Early Life

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Karl Gabriel Nepomuceno was born on August 22, 2004, to Gabby Nepomuceno and Karina Nepomuceno. According to his father, he and his wife had doubted that he could balance the life of being a professional eSports player and staying in school and at a young age remained skeptical about the lifestyle of eSports players. As his mother put it, she shared sentiments of the unhealthy living style of professional players and had put significant punishments such as turning off the WiFi and confiscating his phone to avoid the unhealthy lifestyle.[11][12]

Nepomuceno admitted that the biggest challenge for him as a pro player was his parents’ resistance to the significant lifestyle change especially because of his young age. He vowed to change their minds on the revolving stigma around professional players and that he can balance the lifestyle of being a pro and staying at school. Nepomuceno eventually graduated high school while remaining active in the internationally acclaimed professional scene of MPL Philippines.[12]

Nepomuceno lauded his grandmother "Lola Benny" for his love and care for him until the sixth grade when his parents were Overseas Filipino Workers in Dubai.[13]

Professional Career (2018–present)

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Finesse Solid (2018-19)

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Nepomuceno got scouted for MPL Philippines Season 2 and became the Mid-Laner for Finesse Solid. Debuting in Season 2, he was one of the youngest to professionally debut at the age of 15.[14] Finesse Solid–alongside ArkAngel Ownage and Aether Main, qualified for Season 2, Finesse being the third seed. In the regular season, they finished as the fifth seed going 5-4 and rallied to end the cinderella run of SxC Imbalance in the lower bracket semifinals and but loss to the eventual champions Cignal Ultra in the lower bracket finals in three games.

SGD Omega (2019)

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Finesse would only see one season in MPL Philippines after its entire roster was absorbed by SGD Omega for Season 3.[2] The team would have an underwhelming season, finishing as the seventh seed on a 4–5, 9–12 record and losing to Bren No Limit–the sister team to Bren Esports–2-0 in the elimination stage of the lower brackets. SGD Omega's lost became one of the worse placements for Nepomuceno in his entire professional career, the other being Bren Esports’ Season 8 elimination.

Bren Esports (2020–2021)

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Prior to him joining Bren Esports, Nepomuceno was tapped to become a member of the 2019 Philippine national eSports team to compete in the 2019 SEA Games on home soil.[3] Nepomuceno, at the age of 15, was one of the youngest competitors in the tournament, surrounded by future teammates Carlito “Ribo” Ribo Jr. and Allan “Lusty” Castromayor Jr. Nepomuceno and Team SIBOL faced Team Indonesia in the finals, going down in a 1–2 deficit. However, after rallying in Game 4, the team eventually won Game 5 and won the Philippines the inaugural MLBB tournament gold medal. Nepomuceno was one of the youngest to win a SEA Games Medal at the age of 15.

Nepomuceno was eventually announced to be one of the new members of Bren Esports in Season 5.[15] Bren would finish in third place during Season 5 after a 1-2 lost to ONIC Philippines. In Season 6 he was partnered with his eventual duo David “FlapTzy” Canon–who idolized Nepomuceno and even named himself with his iconic suffix -Tzy–in honor of him.[16] The duo would be named as the “Tzy Brothers” as both Canon and Nepomuceno were instrumental players towards Bren's success for MPL Philippines Season 6, bringing the organization its first MPL title as Bren Esports, defeating Smart Omega 4–2.[17]

First World Title (2021)
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Nepomuceno won his first world title with the team in 2021. After an early loss to Burmese Ghouls sent Bren to the lower bracket, the team mounted a remarkable run, defeating TODAK, Alter Ego, and RRQ Hoshi to reach the Grand Finals.[18] In a dramatic best-of-seven rematch against Burmese Ghouls, Bren fell behind 2–3 but rallied in Games 6 and 7, with Nepomuceno delivering decisive performances on Brody and his signature Claude. Bren ultimately secured a 4–3 series victory, earning Nepomuceno the Finals MVP and establishing him as one of Mobile Legends’ premier players.[19]

Following his rise to prominence, Nepomuceno faced a challenging period during Season 7. Bren Esports struggled to replicate their earlier international success, experiencing inconsistent performances in the MPL Philippines. Despite Nepomuceno's individual skill and signature hyper‑carry plays, the team failed to secure a championship and even a finals appearance, falling short in critical playoff matches. The season highlighted the difficulties of maintaining top form amidst roster changes and evolving metas.[20]

In Season 8, Nepomuceno and Bren attempted a comeback, but recurring issues with team synergy and strategic adaptation persisted. Although he delivered standout performances, Bren consistently underperformed against emerging teams. These consecutive seasons underscored the challenges of sustaining elite-level competitiveness, marking a period of professional adversity in Nepomuceno's otherwise illustrious career.[21]

Team Liquid PH (2021–present)

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In late 2021, Nepomuceno departed Bren Esports, citing dissatisfaction with the team's scrimmage structure and a desire for new challenges. Shortly afterward, he joined ECHO Philippines, a newly formed roster featuring other prominent players, with the goal of competing at the highest level of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang with teammates Tristan "Yawi" Cabrera and Frediemar "3MarTzy" Serafico.[7]

During MPL Philippines Season 9, Nepomuceno became the team's central carry and playmaker. ECHO finished the regular season with an 8–6 record, placing third in the standings. However, their playoff run was short-lived, as they were eliminated 0–3 by Omega Esports in the first round. Despite the early exit, Nepomuceno's performance demonstrated his continued impact as one of the league's top-tier players.[22]

In MPL Philippines Season 10, Nepomuceno and ECHO Philippines secured a playoff run that earned them qualification for the M4 World Championship. The team reached the Season 10 finals but was defeated by Blacklist International, finishing as runners-up.[23]

Second World Title (2023)

[edit]

In January 2023, Nepomuceno won his second world title at the MLBB M4 World Championship with ECHO Philippines. The team advanced to the Grand Finals after overcoming a lower-bracket run, including a 3–1 victory over RRQ Hoshi. In the best-of-seven all-Filipino Grand Final, ECHO swept Blacklist International 4–0 to claim the championship.[8]

Unlike his first world title at M2, Nepomuceno played a more utility-oriented and tank-jungler role, prioritizing objectives and team coordination over individual kills. His strategic contributions were critical to ECHO's dominance, as the team led the tournament in Turtle and Lord captures. The victory also marked Nepomuceno as the first player in Mobile Legends history to win two M-series world championships, solidifying his status as one of the game's most accomplished players.

In MPL PH Season 11, ECHO carried their momentum from M4, dominating the playoffs and sweeping Blacklist International 4–0 in the finals to claim the championship. KarlTzy's performance, particularly on heroes like Lancelot, earned him multiple match MVP awards and cemented his status as one of the league's premier players.[24]

Following the MPL Philippines Season 11 championship, Nepomuceno competed in MSC 2023 where the team advanced to the semifinals but was eliminated 0–3 by ONIC Esports. ECHO later secured third place by defeating BURN x FLASH in the decider match 3–2. In MPL Philippines Season 12, Nepomuceno delivered a standout performance and was awarded the regular season MVP, however ECHO Philippines finished third in the playoffs after getting 1–3 in the lower brackets by Blacklist International.[25]

In Season 13, following a partnership with Team Liquid, the roster competed as Liquid ECHO. The team dominated the playoffs and secured the Season 13 championship, sweeping Falcons AP Bren 4–0 in the Grand Final.[26] They advanced to MSC 2024 when the tournament was first held in Riyadh. TLPH advanced to the knockouts, delivering a quick 3–1 win over Burmese representatives Falcons Esports but losing 1–3 to Falcons AP Bren. This was the second-consecutive MSC that Nepomuceno was defeated in semis.[27]

In Season 14–now rebranded as Team Liquid PH–the team finished with an 8–6 record in the regular season, enough for a play-in slot. However, TLPH lost in five games to Aurora Gaming. This was Team Liquid's worst performance since the rebrand, and their worst performance since Season 9 when they were still ECHO Philippines. This also marked Nepomuceno's second-consecutive absence to the world championships–missing M5 after their loss to Blacklist and missing M6 after their lost to Aurora.

In Season 15, with the arrival of Oheb to the roster, the tandem of Nepomuceno–Soriano was nicknamed by fans as the "Babycakes Duo"[28] which trended within the MLBB community in the Philippines. Liquid finished with a 12–2 record in the regular season and enough to secure an upper bracket berth. Nepomuceno qualified for MSC after a 4–2 win over Team Falcons PH in the lower bracket finals and getting revenge on ONIC Philippines in seven games. ONIC bested Liquid in the upper bracket finals in a 3–0 sweep. Liquid won the Season 15 championship in a full-seven-game series.[29]

First Mid-Season Cup Title (2025)

[edit]

In the knockout rounds, Team Liquid faced stiff competition but continued to build momentum. In the Grand Final against the defending champions Selangor Red Giants OG Esports, they dropped the first game but responded with four consecutive wins to claim a decisive 4–1 series victory and the MSC crown.[30]

KarlTzy described the win as deeply meaningful, noting that the MSC had long eluded him and that this title “completes” his collection of major MLBB trophies. While Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya was awarded Finals MVP, Nepomuceno's influence as jungler and veteran leader was widely lauded, and many fans and analysts hailed him as a GOAT-level player.

With this victory, Nepomuceno became one of the few players in MLBB history to win every major type of championship — including M-Series world titles, MPL titles, and now the MSC — cementing his legacy as one of the most decorated and complete players in the game.

During Season 16, Team Liquid PH continued their dominant form, advancing through the playoffs with a 3–1 victory over Team Falcons PH in the semifinals. They swept the Grand Final 4–0 to secure the Season 16 championship, marking their third MPL PH title in four seasons and solidifying Nepomuceno's status as one of the league's most accomplished players. With this season 16 title, Nepomuceno now holds five MPL championship titles, the most by any player.[31]

National team career

[edit]

Southeast Asian Games

[edit]
See also: Philippines national esports team

Nepomuceno has two stints for the Southeast Asian esports team that represented team Philippines, that being in the 2019 SEA Games on home soil and the upcoming 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. The then-fifteen year old Nepomuceno was one of the youngest competitors in the inaugural MLBB tournament for the SEA Games. Nepomuceno helped and rallied Team Philippines to victory after a 1–2 deficit in the finals against Indonesia, winning two straight games to win the Gold 3–2. Nepomuceno failed to secure another representation for the 2021 SEA Games–the distinction went to a restructured Blacklist International roster[32]–and the 2023 SEA Games–the distinction went to Falcons AP Bren.[33]

Team Liquid PH was chosen to represent Team Philippines in the 2025 SEA Games after winning 3–1 over ONIC Nine Lives, the development roster of ONIC Philippines and the MDL Philippines Season 5 champions.[34] This was Nepomuceno's second SEA Games representing Team Philippines. SIBOL was grouped in Group B joined alongside the other two top regions in the MLBB scene in Indonesia and Malaysia.[35] SIBOL topped the group at 4–0; 8-0 and was automatically seeded in a semifinals bye-match. Nepomuceno helped the team qualify for the Philippines' fourth-consecutive gold medal finals appearance against Team Malaysia where Team SIBOL defeated the Malaysian squad, sweeping them 4–0 and retaining the SEA Games Gold in the Philippines. This is Nepomuceno's second gold medal.[36]

Asian Games

[edit]

Nepomuceno and Team Liquid PH also competed to represent Team Philippines to the inaugural MLBB Medal Match in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. This is the first time that MLBB would be held in the Asian Games alongside multiplayer online battle arena games such as Honor of Kings. However, Nepomuceno and Team Liquid lost in the Grand Finals 1–3 to ONIC Philippines who will represent the country in the inaugural Asian Games debut.

Seasons overview

[edit]
Year League Team Role Domestic International
ESL Snapdragon Mid Season Cup MPLI Invitational World Championship
2018–19 MPL Philippines Finesse Solid Mid Lane S3 3rd Place – Did not qualify – Did not qualify
SGD Omega Mid Lane S4 3rd Place
2020 Bren Esports Jungler S5 3rd Place Cancelled Champions
Jungler S6 Champions Runner-Up
2021 Jungler S7 4th Place Did not qualify Did not qualify Did not qualify
Jungler S8 7th–8th
2022 ECHO Philippines Jungler S9 5th–6th Runner-Up Champions
Jungler S10 Runner-Up
2023 Jungler S11 Champions 3rd Place – Did not qualify
Team Liquid PH Jungler S12 3rd Place
2024 Jungler S13 Champions 3rd Place
Jungler S14 5th-6th
2025 Jungler S15 Champions Champions Qualified
Jungler S16 Champions

Individual Awards

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International

  • 2x MLBB World Champion (M2, M4)
  • 1x MLBB Worlds Finals MVP (M2)
    • Finals MVP skin: Lancelot: Bren Esports
  • 1x MLBB Mid Season Cup Champion (2025)
  • 2x Southeast Asian Games Gold Medalist (2019, 2025)

Domestic

  • 5x MPL Philippines Champion (Season 6, Season 11, Season 13, Season 15, Season 16)
  • 1x MPL Philippines Grand Finals MVP (Season 6)
  • 1x MPL Philippines Regular Season MVP (Season 12)
  • 5x MPL Philippines Team of the Season Member (Season 6, Season 11, Season 12, Season 15, Season 16)
  • MLBB Player of the Year (2023)

Halls of Fame

  • MLBB Worlds Greatest Players Inductee (M4)
  • MPL Philippines Hall of Legends Inductee (Season 10)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Montevirgen, Jan Marcus (August 3, 2025). "An Oral History of KarlTzy: The Prodigy Who Became the GOAT". ALL-STAR. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Dannug, Jonash (July 2, 2021). "SMART Omega reboots, releases entire ML roster". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Here are the eSports Philippine Lineup for SEA GAMES 2019". GamingPH.com. September 22, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  4. ^ Dannug, Jonash (January 23, 2021). "SMART Omega bows out of M2 World Championship". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  5. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan stewart (January 25, 2021). "Bren wins M2 title". Philippine News Agecy. Retrieved December 17, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Dannug, Jonash (January 24, 2021). "KarlTzy hailed as M2 World Championship Grand Finals MVP". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  7. ^ a b UBALDO, JOHN EDISON (December 21, 2021). "Echo officially welcomes KarlTzy, Yawi, 3marTzy to roster as two-time MPL champ Killuash returns". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "ECHO dominates Blacklist International to win M4 title, Bennyqt wins Finals MVP". onesports.ph. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  9. ^ "Team Liquid PH dethrones SRG.OG to seize MSC 2025 crown". Spin.ph. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  10. ^ Montevirgen, Jan Marcus (August 3, 2025). "An Oral History of KarlTzy: The Prodigy Who Became the GOAT". ALL-STAR. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  11. ^ Hero Archives (November 22, 2025). The Story of Karltzy: The GREATEST of All Time. Retrieved December 17, 2025 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ a b "SOTY: In this year of esports, Karl 'KarlTzy' Nepomuceno was a supernova". Spin.ph. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  13. ^ Limos, Mario Alvaro (March 12, 2024). "KarlTzy Used A 'Teknik' on His Lola So He Could Play". ALL-STAR. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  14. ^ News, BEA MICALLER, GMA Integrated (August 4, 2025). "KarlTzy accepts 'GOAT' status after steering Team Liquid to MSC glory". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 17, 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Roster Changes of Direct Invites for MPL PH Season 5 - the previous 5th to 8th placers". PinoyGamer - Philippines Gaming News and Community. February 11, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  16. ^ Asuncion, Joseph "Jagwar" (February 15, 2021). "Tzy Nation: The meteoric rise of MLBB's best duo | ONE Esports". www.oneesports.gg. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  17. ^ Dannug, Jonash (October 25, 2020). "BREN Esports achieves destiny, rules MPL-PH 6". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  18. ^ UBALDO, JOHN EDISON (January 24, 2021). "BREN stops RRQ, enter grandfinals of MLBB World Championship". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  19. ^ "KarlTzy, Bren Esports survive Burmese Ghouls to rule M2 Worlds". RAPPLER. January 24, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  20. ^ "Execration knock Bren Esports out of MPL PH S7 Playoffs with 3-2 reverse sweep". Yahoo News. May 30, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  21. ^ PH, Explained (October 11, 2021). "End of an era: Bren bows out of MPL-PH Season 8". Explained PH. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  22. ^ Galindo, Daryll. "Smart Omega Upsets ECHO in MPL-PH Season 9 Playoffs Opener". Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  23. ^ UBALDO, JOHN EDISON (October 23, 2022). "V33Wise takes back MPL PH title as Blacklist conquers Echo in S10 grand finals". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  24. ^ Elona, Jules (May 7, 2023). "ECHO dethrones defending champs, wins MPL PH Season 11 | ONE Esports". www.oneesports.gg. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  25. ^ Siasat, JM (June 18, 2023). "ECHO gets third place finish at MSC". DailyTribune. Retrieved December 17, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ "MPL-PH: Team Liquid ECHO win Season 13 with Grand Finals sweep of Falcons AP.Bren". onesports.ph. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  27. ^ Enriquez, X. C. "Falcons AP.Bren exact revenge vs Liquid Echo, book MSC 2024 final". Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  28. ^ Coloma, A. C. "Babycakes or The K.ONecction? All about Team Liquid's new duo KarlTzy, Oheb". Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  29. ^ "Portal Berita, Download Game dan Beli Voucher Game Terpercaya Di Indonesia". duniagames.co.id. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  30. ^ "Team Liquid PH dethrones SRG.OG to seize MSC 2025 crown". Spin.ph. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  31. ^ Magallon, Reynald I. (October 26, 2025). "Team Liquid PH sweeps Aurora to claim MPL PH S16 crown". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  32. ^ Bashir, Dale (May 20, 2022). "Team Philippines Brings Home the Gold for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang at 31st SEA Games". IGN Southeast Asia. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  33. ^ Jr, Rommel Fuertes (May 14, 2023). "Sibol Pilipinas dominates Malaysia for men's MLBB gold in SEA Games". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  34. ^ "Team Liquid PH to represent Philippines in 33rd SEA Games after SIBOL sweep". onesports.ph. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  35. ^ "Portal Berita, Download Game dan Beli Voucher Game Terpercaya Di Indonesia". duniagames.co.id. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  36. ^ Terrado, Jonas (December 17, 2025). "SEA Games 2025: Sibol retains esports MLBB gold". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
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