Michael Angelo Balaga, also known as RGN, a third-year UST civil engineering student, displayed his skill and effectiveness in playing Tekken placing ninth overall representing Neru4k esports at the Tekken World Tour 2023 Challenger Event FV Major held in Malaysia last July 2, 2023.

RGN competed with players from big-shot teams in Asia, like DRX, eventually losing to their competitor, Chanel, in the loser’s bracket of the fourth round, denying him the chance to compete for a higher finish in the tournament’s finals bracket.

He exhibited a three-game winning streak, defeating Zweii (2-0), Shao (2-0), and Malik ash (2-1) before getting punished by the eventual 7th-8th placer, Chanel, 2-1 in a nailbiter to go on and collect 25 points from the tournament.

RGN utilized Shaheen and Akuma as he blazed through all but one of his foes.

“Siguro mixed feelings siya kasi, kino-convince ko ‘yung sarili ko na first time ko so not bad na ‘yung top 9, pero naisip ko na kaya ko pa sana na mas mataas pa—nabitin lang talaga nang onti,” he said after the event.

RGN is aiming for a better finish for his next tournaments which will be held in September in the Philippines, and in October in Korea.