When ONIC PH’s MPL Philippines Season Nine campaign ended at the hands of Omega Esports, Nowee “Ryota” Macasa immediately consoled his teammates.
At the time, he was hoping for another run with them in Season 10. He doesn’t even mind taking a backseat. All he wanted was another shot at glory with the teammates that turned into his brothers.
But that sure won’t be happening, not after a cloud of uncertainty shrouded the organization as they entered the off-season. Rumors swirled online that ONIC PH has decided to move on from its roster with some of its players eventually voicing out their concerns on social media.
Alas, after almost a month, the scalding tea spilled. One by one, the organization announced the departures – Beemo. Coach Yeb. Micophobia. Kairi. Markyyyyy. Baloyskie. Dlar. Hatred.
And poof – just like that, the organization’s prized roster vanished.
“Sobrang lungkot kasi pamilya turingan naming lahat e. Sobrang lungkot kasi sila yung ineexpect ko na makasama netong season 10 tapos biglang naudlot,” said Ryota in an exclusive interview with Tiebreaker Times.
“Tapos nung isa-isa na silang umaalis, malungkot talaga tapos na-realize ko rin na mas ikabubuti nila kapag nakahanap sila ng teams kaya masaya rin ako na stable na yung mga career nila,” he added.
With his newfound family gone, Ryota admitted that he, too, tried to make a run for it, revealing that he looked for interested teams during the off-season.
But, once he finally grasped the opportunity that was standing right in front of him, he had a change of heart.
The chance to finally make it into the stage and play was one of the main reasons why Ryota decided to stay with ONIC PH. The idea of becoming the team’s leader, though, was what sealed the deal.
“Nung una nag-try akong humanap ng team. Then after nun naisip ko na lang talaga na mag-stay ng ONIC,” said Ryota.
“Bago ako bumalik ng ONIC alam ko na yung lineup, so ang nasa isip ko may chance na rin ako makalaro saka gusto ko ring i-try na mga rookie naman yung kakampi ko, parang ita-try ko na ako naman yung leader,” he added.
Ryota shared that he learned a lot from Gerald “Dlar” Trinchera, who immediately took him under his wing when he joined the team back in Season Eight.
According to him, his time with Dlar prepared him for this very moment. And he plans to use everything that he absorbed from his mentor to embrace his new role and help his new teammates.
“Sobrang laking bagay na nakasama ko si Dlar kasi si Dlar yung tipong hindi siya takot maangatan. Kumbaga, tutulungan ka niya iangat yung laro mo. Ang dami niyang tinuro sa akin, siya yung mentor ko. Yung mga nalalaman niya, shinishare niya sa akin,” said Ryota.
At last, after spending the past two seasons shouting ‘It’s Onic time’ from the bench, it’s finally Ryota’s time.
“Masaya talaga ako na maipapakita ko na rin yung laro ko. Ilang seasons din ata akong na-bench kaya nung malapit na yung MPL sobrang excited ako saka gigil ako na maipakita yung laro ko.”
