Coach Yeb: “No one truly knows the meta yet” – MLBB MSC 2025

MSC 2025 Group Stage matches did not disappoint, each fiercely competitive. Rising contenders even managed to take games, and in some cases, entire matches against top-tier teams. We had a chance to speak with one of the most respected coaches in the MLBB professional scene, Coach Yeb, who also serves as the VP of Esports Franchise for the entire ONIC organization.

Coach Yeb Interview – No One Truly Knows the Meta Yet

After ONIC PH’s major upset loss to Aurora Gaming, a team widely regarded as mid-tier in this tournament, here’s what he had to say about the mid-tier teams catching up.

Hotspawn: Coach, what do you think of the so-called “mid-tier” teams that are now able to take games—or even entire series—off top teams? Are the top teams getting weaker, or are the mid-tier teams getting stronger?

Coach Yeb: I think for every Southeast Asian or international tournament, there’s always a specific patch. So whenever there’s an international event, teams really are catching up—but no one truly knows the meta yet. I mean, there’s no data on what the opponents will pick. So it’s not necessarily that they’re catching up; it’s more like everyone’s in the dark about the patch.

Hotspawn: Let’s remove both PH teams, both ID teams, and SRG (MY) from the equation. Who do you think has the biggest potential to win this year’s MSC?

Coach Yeb: I guess it’s either Team Spirit or Aurora. Team Spirit—since when was it? M5? If I’m not mistaken, starting with M5, they’ve been consistently performing. Along with Türkiye—I mean Aurora, when they were still under Fireflux. They were already strong back then.

Hotspawn: When Team Spirit added Hiko, do you think they got stronger? If yes, was it exponential—like two or three times stronger—or just a bit?

Coach Yeb: They definitely got stronger. Starting last year? Yeah. I actually don’t remember their old Gold Laner, but Hiko is really a big factor.

Hotspawn: Same with Aurora—they got Sigibum and Lunar. Do you think their current lineup is stronger?

Coach Yeb: Possibly. It’s hard to compare since we don’t really know. I mean, it’s a different meta, right? So it’s hard to compare players. But as long as the current lineup is performing, then they’re good.

MSC 2025 has concluded its Group Stage, and only eight teams remain to compete for the title. Defending champions SRG.OG are still in the running to extend their title reign, but they face tough challengers in Team Liquid, ONIC PH, ONIC ID, and RRQ. Let’s also not forget Mythic SEAL, the team that dropped them to the lower bracket during groups—another obstacle they’ll need to overcome.

The Knockout Stage begins July 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM GMT+3. The picking phase will happen after Day 5 of Group Stage of MSC 2025 where the fastest team to win their games within the “2-0” group will pick on the winners of the matches in Day 5.