Omega Esports captain Patrick “E2MAX” Caidic said that the team remained confident despite its 0-2 start in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League-Philippines Season Eight, Friday night.
The Smart-backed squad figured in a string of controversies prior to the start of the season, but none of it was bigger than the two-week suspension handed to Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup MVP Duane “Kelra” Pillas – who found himself in hot water after uttering a series of sexist and homophobic slurs during a livestream.
With Kelra out, Omega Esports tapped rookie Robbie “Hito” Candoy to fill the void left by the up-and-coming gold laner. However, his efforts were not enough as the team dropped its first two games against ONIC PH and ECHO.
“Hindi naman, kasi kampante naman kami. Okay lang naman samin yung mga naging resulta, siguro mas hindi lang kami prepared [last week] saka siguro hindi pa namin nakukuha yung tamang timpla kasi wala [pa] yung talagang lineup namin, hindi pa kami solid,” said E2MAX, who led Omega to its first win of the season on Friday night via a 2-0 sweep of RSG PH.
The MPL veteran played clutch in the series-clinching Game Two against RSG PH, defending on his own against the troika of Arvie “Aqua” Calderon, EJ “Heath” Esperenza (Martis), and Jonard “Demonkite” Caranto (Paquito) before eventually killing Aqua to open a free Lord take for Omega Esports.
According to E2MAX, the team is slowly coming back to form all thanks to the arrival of Dean “Raizen” Sumagui, who replaced Hito in the starting five.
“Ngayon, medyo nakuha naman na namin yung timpla nung si Raizen yung isa namin,” said E2MAX.
“Medyo nakakita na kami ng liwanag, nung mga nakaraan talaga wala kaming nakikitang liwanag e. Ayun ngayon, sana mag tuloy tuloy yung panalo namin ngayong week.”
Raizen made a good account of himself in his debut, finishing with two kills, three deaths, and three assists on his Lunox in Game One before ending up with a kill, three deaths, and three assists with Alice in Game Two.
The rookie played a pivotal role in the clincher, securing a three-man Blood Awe which helped Omega Esports seal the deal.
But still, E2MAX believes that the true battle will only begin next week – once Kelra makes his debut for the squad.
“Kaya ngayon, medyo hindi rin kami nage-expect ng panalo pero abangan nila next week, doon pa lang yung tunay na laban.”
