Photo Credits: Photo by TNC Pro
OPPORTUNITY might come once, but the greatest opportunity knocks at your door at the right time, and the right place.Given that most of us are staying at home, eSports became extremely familiar to us. And if you’re into esports, you might be familiar with one of the successful professional players in Dota 2 that has started his journey here in Davao.
The 25 year-old, Levi Lagaret, also known as YoungGod, the “carry” (position) of pro team TNC Predator, and ranked 44 in the South East Asia (SEA) Server Leaderboard, is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Custom Administration at Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC).
When he started his journey as a Dota 2 player he said that his in-game name (ign) “YoungGod” is actually inspired by rapper Russ’s song “Yung God” and the influence of his school HCDC, then he changed the “Yung to Young” and “YoungGod” was born.Lagaret’s neighbors played a big part of where he is now, because without them he will not be introduced in the world of Dota 2.
“I just realized tong High School, elementary days lingaw-lingaw lang, pero pag-high school na feel na ko nga kaya nako magcompete like pro gyud… siguro kay competitive ko nga tao (When I was in elementary, it was all fun and games but when I reached high school, I realized that I can compete as a professional. This could be because I am a competitive person),” YoungGod said.
As Lagaret progressed on his passion in gaming, he struggled on what he should prioritize, since he got some offers to play professionally while still studying.
“I have a hard time deciding on what I should prioritize first, especially when there’s a Dota 2 team that wanted to recruit me, and I was in between finishing my studies or pursuing my esports career,” he said.
It was a tough decision to make because this opportunity might only come once. But he said that he felt that it was not yet the right time. So, he pursued his studies before anything else.
Aside from studies, Lagaret’s mother is also against his passion for gaming, especially if he will play the whole day.
“Akong mama masuko, magdula kog game ana mga 13 to 15 hours a day (tong High School ko), usahay whole day gyud ko magdula, but free day lang, like weekends, saturday or sunday (My mother will always reprimand me because I play 13 to 15 hours a day, or, sometimes, the whole day. But I actually only play during days when I am free like on the weekends),” Lagaret said.
He also said that even when he reached college his mother would still scold and reprimand him.
“Ginabadlong gihapon ko, ingnan kog ‘kelangan na nimo matulog kay naa pa kay klase ugma’ (When I reached college, she will still scold me, telling me I need to get some sleep because I still have classes),” Lagaret said.
In 2018, he completed his bachelor’s degree in Custom Administration. However, he did not pursue a career in the course he graduated but rather, he pursued his passion for eSports.
“I decided to pursue my passion in eSports after I got my bachelors degree because it was my gift to my parents and another way of thanking them,” Lagaret said.
Lagaret said his parents eventually supported him on his journey.
“Nakita man gud nila nga naa koy potential, like nakita nila naabot nakog Manila, gadula na ko’g lain-laing tournaments; So, murag nahappy akong mama kay murag ‘oy, naa gyud diay akong anak nga ing-ani’ (They saw that I had potential in what I was doing, especially when I started competing in Manila. They were happy with what I was doing and my mother said, ‘My son has potential to succeed here’),” Lagaret said.
When Lagaret was asked if in case his mother would say “No” on his esports career, he said he would still pursue his passion.
“I-pursue nako akong passion kay aron di nako ma-question akong sarili kung gitry nako to or ing-ani, mga what if’s nga questions (I will still pursue my passion because I don’t want to live with what if’s),” Lagaret said.
As he kept on competing in different eSports tournaments and slowly making a name for himself, he is bound to be discovered soon.
Lagaret said he was scouted by Mushi, who is an eSports coach, and invited to try out in their group, TNC Predator. After seeing his skills and potential, they invited him to join the group.However, it is not all games for Lagaret.
He also makes an effort to spend time with his family and friends.Aside from Dota 2, he also plays Valorant and Apex. When playing for leisure, he either plays alone or with friends.Meanwhile, Lagaret sees himself staying in the eSports community for quite some time.
He also still has no plans to pursue a career in the course he graduated from.Advice to eSports ethusiastsLagaret said time management, discipline, and a listening ear to criticisms are needed if you want to pursue a career in eSports.
“If you want to pursue your career you need to manage your time and what you’re going to do… Tini-take as positive lang, kahit anong magandang gawin mo may sasabihin at sasabihin yong mga tao (When it comes to criticisms, take it positively. People will always have something to say about you),” Lagaret said.
Lagaret also reminded aspiring eSports players that you will not always win. Players, just like him, will also experience challenges along the way.
“Always remind themselves (aspirants) that the main reason why they started in this journey, whenever [the] team seems to be hopeless or its not going well , just keep moving forward and always grind, someday you will be on the top,” Lagaret said.
“Keep on chasing your dream, paningkamot og skwela gihapon, para at least kung dili magwork ang imuhang [ang eSports] naa gihapon kay pahidulngan, kung gusto gyud nimo, makaya ra man gyud, like 100 percent ihatag nimo imuhang best, naa gyud kay maabtan, focus, commitment, mga ing-ana, ihatag lang gyud tanan (Make sure to finish your studies; so, you have something to fall back to if your eSports career will not work. But if you really want it, give your 100 percent and your best. Have focus and be committed for you to reach your dreams),” Lagaret said.
Lastly, Lagaret said he has no regrets in pursuing eSports.“There were no regrets (decision), because at the end of the day, I got what I wanted the most, I got into one of the best teams on account,” he said.Lagaret said he is grateful that he pursued an eSports career because he was also able to support his family and himself.
“I am happy that I can give back to my family, and provide for myself,” Lagaret said. KSD
Article from Sunstar Davao