FEATURE: Pressure-free JamesPangks leads AP Bren's strong start

Alta Sports7 days ago · 201 views

FEATURE: Pressure-free JamesPangks leads AP Bren's strong start image

Photo: MPL Philippines

By Tiffany Dela Cruz

There was a time when hesitation defined James “JamesPangks” Mendoza’s game—when every move carried the weight of doubt, and every decision felt like it could tip the balance the wrong way.

Now in his third season in MPL Philippines, that version of JamesPangks is slowly fading into the background.

What has emerged instead is a player unburdened—one whose renewed mindset has helped fuel AP Bren’s strong 2-0 start in the ongoing MPL PH Season 17 regular season, a far cry from the squad that failed to reach the playoffs in the last two conferences.

Photo: MPL Philippines

“Tingin ko para sa amin ano, na-e-enjoy talaga namin ‘yung game. Nawala na ‘yung pressure sa amin eh. Tapos ayun nga, ang gaan na maglaro, tapos ‘yung vibes namin ‘yun talaga ‘yung pinaka nagbago,” he shared.

That lightness has been evident not just in their results, but in how AP Bren has approached each game—looser, more fluid, and far more confident than before.

But behind that transformation lies a more personal shift for JamesPangks, one that started from within.

“Sa’kin, especially sa’kin, inayos ko ‘yung mindset ko. ‘Yun lang ‘yung talagang na-ano sa akin,” said the up-and-coming jungler.

“Kasi parang na-realize ko na wala namang magandang naitutulong ‘yung pagwo-worry sa in-game, na parang ‘what if mag-error ako?’ Ganun kasi ‘yung mindset ko dati eh. Takot nga ako magkamali ‘di ba,” he added.

For a player competing at the highest level, fear can be as crippling as any mechanical misplay. And for the longest time, that fear lingered—manifesting in second-guesses and missed opportunities.

This time, however, JamesPangks chose to confront it head-on.

“So inalis ko ‘yung ganung mindset. Na parang ‘what if gumana?’ ganun na ‘yung mindset ko. Pinalitan ko ng positive vibes, kaya ayun.”

That subtle yet powerful shift—from fearing mistakes to embracing possibilities—has rippled across AP Bren’s campaign.

It also comes at a crucial juncture for the team, bolstered by the arrival of veteran coach Karl “Giee” Barrientos and EXP laner Kielvj “Kielvj” Hernandez, whose presence has helped stabilize both structure and confidence within the squad.

Together, the pieces are beginning to fall into place. And while the season is still young, AP Bren’s resurgence feels rooted in something deeper than just strategy or roster moves.

For JamesPangks, it starts with belief—one that no longer asks “what if I fail?” but instead dares to answer, “what if it works?”

All comments 10