KUALA LUMPUR: Homebois will feature two new players at the Snapdragon Pro Series Season Six from Jan 6-12 next year.
The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) tournament, which is in the Challenge Season phase, will feature 16 teams vying for six spots to qualify for the Challenge Finals at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre in Johor Baru from Feb 10-16.
Homebois have got EXP Laner Ilman Zareef "Gojes" Zulkifli from Selangor Red Giants on loan and former TNC Pro Team roamer Jomearie Delos "Escalera" Santos to beef up the roster.
"We brought in these two players for the Snapdragon Pro Series to shake up our roster," Homebois' eSports chief operating officer Nabil "Abey" Japri said today.
"If both players can gel with the current team and perform well in the tournament, we will sign them into the full roster for the next MLBB Professional League Malaysia (MPLMY)."
He added that the team have decided to keep their core players of Ikmal Hakimy "Eyymal" Azemy (Jungler), Irwandy "Izanami" Lim (Mid Lane), and Kennt Anthony "Souuul" Baesa (Gold Lane).
They aim to reach the Challenge Finals and compete on their owner, Nureddy "DaddyHood" Nursal's home ground.
"We missed out on Season 14 playoffs and did not get to play in Johor previously," Abey added.
"So this time, we aim to make it to the Challenge Finals to compete on DaddyHood's home ground."
Homebois struggled to produce results after most of their roster left for Team Vamos just before Season 14 of the MPLMY. As a result, they missed out on a playoff spot.
The team are also considering hiring a local coach to add to the backroom staff. Currently, Homebois coaching staff consist of head coach Jeffrey Manforte and his assistant Lenard Joseph "Cody Banks" Merano, both from the Philippines.
"We will continue with our two Filipino coaches for the Snapdragon Pro Series. But we have shortlisted three local names to add to our coaching staff," Abey added.
"We need a local coach who knows the local players. The local coach can complement our foreign coach, creating a better synergy in the team."