The stage could not have been bigger. In his first series back in the Philippines, AJ “Kayn” Sombilon found himself staring down one of the league’s most decorated teams.
Twisted Minds PH eventually fell 0-2 to Team Liquid PH. But somewhere in the defeat, Kayn announced himself.
The former MDL Philippines champion finished his league debut with an 8/4/3 KDA using Hirara, but the numbers only told part of the story. In Game 1, Kayn delivered a historic Savage, wiping out the Cavalry in a decisive teamfight and immediately giving fans a glimpse of what he could bring to Twisted Minds PH.
It was an electrifying introduction. And for Kayn, that was exactly the point.
The 19-year-old jungler had not returned to the Philippines simply to be another name on a roster. He came home looking for something he had been missing: a chance to play.
Speaking with TechBeat Gaming, Kayn opened up about his move on loan from Dewa United, his reunion with former championship teammates, and why he believes Twisted Minds PH can become much more dangerous with time.
Fighting for the Spotlight
Kayn’s decision to move came down to one thing: playing time.
After Dewa United signed former RRQ jungler Muhammad “Hazle” Balakosa, Kayn feared history would repeat itself. Another season on the bench was becoming a possibility, and he knew he had to find another path.
“Nung time po na ni-recruit na ng Dewa si Hazle, feel ko na parang last season ulit yung mangyayari—mabe-bench ulit ako,” Kayn shared. “Naisip ko ng paraan para makapaglaro ako. Sinabihan ko po yung players sa Twisted, tapos sila na din po nag-usap, management to management. Naging okay naman po.”
The move happened while Dewa United were still in the middle of their campaign, but Kayn said his former teammates and coaching staff supported his decision.
Most importantly, so did head coach Jaypee “Right” Lugtu.
“Support pa rin po sila. Kasi ayun lang din naman ang gusto ni Coach—kung saang team ako makakapaglaro, doon din siya. Sadyang medyo tumagilid lang talaga sa Dewa kaya kailangan magpalit.”
It was not a decision born out of frustration.
It was a decision born out of necessity.
Kayn wanted to compete.
Reuniting the Nine Lives Core
There was another reason the move felt familiar.
Waiting for Kayn inside the Twisted Minds PH camp were Lance “Lansu” Misa and Miguel “Sionnn” Alcantara—the same two players who once stood beside him at the top of the developmental scene.
Together, the trio formed the core of the ONIC x Nine Lives lineup that captured the MDL Philippines Season 5 championship.
Two later, they were back together. But Kayn made sure the reunion came with a little surprise.
He kept the negotiations completely under wraps until the deal was officially completed.
“Nung after announcement lang po nila nalaman,” he admitted with a laugh. “Hindi namin sinabi sa kanila na natuloy po yung negotiation between Dewa and Twisted Minds, kasi ayun na lang din ang inaasahan nila—na babalik nga po ako sa kanila.”
The reunion immediately gave Twisted Minds PH a layer of familiarity. These were not three players meeting for the first time and trying to figure each other out.
They had already won together.
Now, they have another stage to conquer.
A Savage to Start the Story
Kayn’s return to MPL Philippines surely came with plenty of expectations.
His journey had already taken him beyond the country’s borders after his MDL championship. He joined See You Soon in MPL Cambodia Season 9, helping the team reach the playoffs while earning Rising Star honors. He later moved to Indonesia, where he suited up for Dewa United and reunited with Coach Right.
Now back home, his first official series came against Team Liquid PH.
The result may have belonged to the Cavalry, but Kayn ensured that his debut would be remembered.
His Savage was more than a highlight.
It was a statement.
Still, Kayn believes Twisted Minds PH has plenty more to show once the roster gets the time it needs to develop.
“In-expect ko po na mas magiging malakas yung team namin ngayon, lalo na kapag nagkaroon pa kami ng time para makapag-practice nang makapag-practice,” he said.
And perhaps that is the most exciting part of his arrival.
Kayn already showed what he can do with almost no time to prepare. Imagine what happens when he has time to build.
With the former MDL champion back on Philippine soil, reunited with two of his old championship partners and hungry for the playing time he could not guarantee in Indonesia, Twisted Minds PH may have found the spark it needed.
The Savage was only Day 1. The real challenge begins now.
