Jason and SRG part ways after contract deadlock

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Red Giants (SRG) analyst Jason Yap bid farewell to the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) team after failing to agree to a new contract with them.

Jason, popularly known by his in-game handle JIFDEGaming, announced the news on his Instagram account yesterday (Jan 31). His contract with SRG expired on Dec 31.

"The organisation (SRG) offered me a contract extension, expressing that they are happy to have me stay for the following year (2025)," he said in the post.

"Unfortunately, the terms given to me for this extension were not what I had in mind. There were no considerations for any changes to it, which is why I will not be resigning with SRG for the upcoming 2025 season."

Jason joined SRG in April of last year, just before Season 13 of the MLBB Professional League Malaysia (MPLMY) and assisted head coach Michael Angelo "Arcadia" Bocado and assistant coach Poon "OzoraVeki" Kok Sing.

Jason is a key member of the team and is widely credited with doing the analytical work to determine what play style suits the current patch of the game and counter-analysis of their opponent's game plan, which brought SRG historic success last year.

SRG captured the MPLMY Season 13 title undefeated, a streak they carried all the way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to win the Mid Season Cup in July.

The triumph in Riyadh was historic, as SRG became the first Malaysian team to win an international title in esports.

They continued making history after capturing the Season 14 of the MPLMY, becoming the first team to win back-to-back league titles.

More international triumphs followed as Jason was also a part of Team Malaysia's coaching staff, which won the World Esports Championships, earning the country's first world title.

SRG will begin their season at the Snapdragon Pro Series Challenge Finals, which will be held at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre on Feb 10-16.