KUALA LUMPUR: The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Professional League Malaysia (MPLMY) returns for its 14th season with a highly anticipated rematch of last season's Grand Final between Selangor Red Giants (SRG) and Homebois on Saturday.
Last season, SRG triumphed over 2022 champions Homebois 4-2 in an epic showdown before claiming the Mid Season Cup (MSC) title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bagging a cool US$1 million (RM4.3 million).
Homebois also performed admirably in Riyadh, securing a top-8 finish despite battling through a tricky wild card stage.
SRG will field an unchanged roster, with 18-year-old Haqqullah 'Sekys' Ahmad Shahrul Zaman expected to play a pivotal role following his impressive showing at the MSC, earning him the title of MLBB's best Jungler.
Homebois, however, will enter with a new-look team, having lost five players to Team Vamos. Mid-Laner Julian 'Udil' Ardiansyah is the only remaining member of last year's squad.
Julian, acquired from Indonesia's Alter Ego for a staggering RM330,000 last year, remains MPLMY's most expensive gamer.
As the most experienced player on Homebois' roster, all eyes will be on him to lead the team to success.
The top two teams from MPL Malaysia Season 14 will qualify directly for the M6 World Championship, which will take place in Malaysia, while also competing for the lion's share of this season's US$100,000 (RM437,000) prize pool.
Fikri Rizal Mahruddin, marketing and business development lead at MOONTON Games, believes this will be the most competitive and exciting season yet.
"The M Series has always been the pinnacle for any professional MLBB player, but it's a prize we have yet to win. Leading Malaysia's charge for the title, in front of a home crowd, is a dream come true," he said.
"Malaysian teams have proven they have what it takes to compete with the best in the world. I'm confident this season will be our most passionate and fiercely contested yet!"
The MPLMY will run from Saturday until Oct 13 at the 1,000-seat MPLMY Arena (MBSJ Stadium) in Serdang Jaya.
All matches will also be streamed live on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.