After ONIC PH completed its 2-0 sweep of TNC, Ben “Benthings” Maglaque immediately put his gaming phone down and took a few moments to absorb everything that transpired before gathering the courage to stand up for the mandatory handshake line.
Though heartbroken by the crucial loss, in his mind, they are still in it. The 27-year-old roamer was still optimistic about TNC’s chances of making it to the playoffs.
However, a few moments later, he received news that shattered his hopeful heart.
TNC, who was already on their way to the center of the stage for their bow, was approached by MPL Philippines host Mara Aquino, who asked the entire team to stay for a little while for their final message to the fans.
Then came seven heart-wrenching words that would force anyone, even the uber-energetic Aquino, to almost shed a tear.
(C) MPL PH
“Miss Mara, tanggal na po ba kami?” asked Benthings.
Apparently, the entire TNC five on the stage refused to know the implications of their final match against ONIC PH as they were determined to play their hearts out in their remaining games no matter what happens.
“Ako kasi personally, hindi ako nakatingin sa points e. Kaya nung nalaman ko na may final message, kumbaga nagka-clue na ako na wala na pala kami,” Benthings said during the post-match interview.
TNC made a last-ditch attempt to save its playoff campaign, taking down the league-leading Bren Esports and defending world champion ECHO consecutively. However, they dropped the crucial series against ONIC PH.
They officially bowed out of the playoffs after falling to 3-10 in the standings. Their total points could not exceed the maximum tally of sixth-ranked Omega Esports (5-7, 15 points) and current fifth-placer ONIC PH (5-8, 16 points).
“Ayun lang, pumuso kami. Hanggat hindi ina-announce, yun yung [gusto] ng team e, yun yung pinanghahawakan ng team. Hanggat ina-announce na wala na kami sa playoffs, hindi kami titigil bumawi,” he added.
Though they failed to make it to the postseason for the second consecutive season, Benthings already feels satisfied knowing that his team poured their hearts out during the final stretch of the regular season.
And he hopes that they can finally get over the hump in the next season.
“Maraming, maraming salamat sa mga sumuporta hanggang dulo. Pinalakas niyo talaga yung loob namin. ‘Wag kayong mag-alala, may Season 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 pa,” said Benthings, who was fighting back tears.
“Hindi matatapos yung pangarap namin mag-champion dito sa MPL hanggat ‘di nawawala yung MPL. Maraming salamat sa suporta.”
