Running out of ways to boost his team’s morale, ONIC PH head coach Kevin “Bluffzy” Reyes turned to his former ward for help.
ONIC PH, despite being composed of rookies, had a dream start in the MPL Philippines Season 10 where they won five of their first six matches which even put them at the top of the most competitive Mobile Legends: Bang Bang league in the world for a time.
Unfortunately, the rookies could not sustain their fine start as they dropped three consecutive losses against TNC, Bren Esports, and ECHO, which left them winless in the past two weeks.
Looking to turn things around, Bluffzy asked former ONIC PH star Allen “Baloyskie” Baloy, who currently plays for Geek Fam in the MPL Indonesia, to send words of encouragement through a video message.
“Sa sinabi ni Allen, actually sobrang thankful kami kasi yun nga, sobrang nakaka-motivate at the same time,” said Bluffzy.
“Yung team niya ngayon is actually one of our scrim partners, doon nga sa mga time na sobrang down namin na feeling namin pababa kami, isa siya sa mga taong tumulong talaga sa amin.
“Nagiisip kasi talaga ako ng paraan kung paano mabu-boost yung mga morale ng mga players. E kasi isa siya sa mga iniidolo, isa siya sa mga may napatunayan na talaga so hiningan ko siya ng video just to boost their morale lang talaga, na normal yung mga nangyayari, kailangan niyo lang i-keep yung composure niyo at lahat ‘yan part of the process,” he added.
The move proved to have paid dividends on Saturday afternoon as ONIC PH finally broke its losing streak after sweeping Nexplay EVOS, 2-0, at the ICITE Auditorium.
ONIC PH, after struggling for two weeks, has now tied Blacklist International at the top spot with 18 points each. And for sure, they have Baloyskie to thank for it.
“Tingin ko naman nakatulong. Sobrang solid ni Allen, saka talagang yung ONIC ngayon, saka siya is actually maganda yung samahan nila ngayon.”
