ONIC Esports star Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol emphasized the importance of winning their first series following the team’s opening-day victory over Burn X Flash in the 2023 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup on Saturday.
Despite a few hiccups, ONIC Esports managed to sweep the sole hometown contender, 2-0, in front of a massive Cambodian crowd inside the Aeon Mall Mean Chey in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to kick off their title campaign in the mid-year international tournament.
“I think it’s crucial for our momentum and confidence so that we can sustain our good gameplay until the playoffs,” said the Filipino jungler, who is participating in the MSC for the first time in his career.
ONIC Esports lost both of their opening matches in the 2022 MSC last year and the M4 World Championships last January.
The reigning MPL Indonesia squad experienced a devastating sweep at the hands of Falcon Esports in the MSC on June 11, 2022, before enduring a shocking loss against Todak on the world stage last January 1 with Kairi finally on board.
ONIC Esports finished 9th-12th in the previous edition of the MSC and even failed to reach the playoffs. However, the team bounced back with a fourth-place finish in M4.
Kairi had three kills, four deaths, and seven assists on Hayabusa in Game 1 against Burn X Flash before tallying one kill, three deaths, and eight assists on Balmond in Game 2.
