ONIC Philippines were in the lead for exactly 19 minutes and 46 seconds against reigning MPL Indonesia champion ONIC Esports.
Things changed, however, after the 19:46-mark. The Indonesians capitalized on a botched Luminous Lord attempt from the Filipinos that eventually spelled their doom.
With the objective almost at half health, ONIC PH decided to engage the contesting ONIC Esports.
The Filipinos managed to grab the first kill in Muhammad “Butss” Satrya Sanubari’s Ruby to kickoff the blood bath, but a great catch by Nicky “Kiboy” Fernando’s Khufra on Jaylord “Hatred” Gonzales (Aamon) and Gerald “Dlarskie” Trinchera (Thamuz) allowed ONIC Indonesia to turn things around in the fight.
When the dust settled, ONIC Indonesia, despite losing two individuals, was able to wipe out four ONIC PH members and secure the Luminous Lord in the 20-minute mark – exactly 14 seconds after the Filipinos last held the lead.
Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol (Lancelot) tried to secure the objective but was gunned down earlier.
“Actually, yun yung strength ng ONIC Indo kahit nag ii-scrimmage kami nangyayari siya sometimes talaga and nag play naman kami sa winning condition namin,” said ONIC PH team captain Allen “Baloyskie” Baloy.
“Yun nga lang na-execute ng maayos ng ONIC Indonesia yung counterattack nila which is yung specialty nila so ayun, na caught off guard kami and also yung miscommunication doon sa Lord pit,” he added.
With two games left on their card, ONIC PH made sure to use the heartbreaking loss as motivation to finish the group stage well.
“Mas na-hype kami kasi hindi kami puwedeng matalo kahit isang game e.
“So, ano all in na talaga. Good thing naman we’re a team so nakapag-reset agad kami ng mentality,” said the former MPL PH champion.
ONIC PH swept its remaining assignments in Todak and Vivo Keyd, respectively, while their Indonesia counterparts plummeted down the lower bracket after losing to the same teams.
Now, Baloyskie said that the team will be working on enhancing their communication in time for the playoffs.
“Siyempre masaya kasi na-meet namin yung expectation namin. Ineexpect talaga namin nag come up kami na top one kahit na do-or-die siya na mag top one kami. Masaya naman kasi nakuha namin siya and kahit 2-1 ayun, masaya naman,” said the former Aura PH support.
“Siguro mas kailangan namin i-enhance yung communication para maiwasan namin yung mga mistakes kagaya nung sa Indonesia na nag result sa talo namin. Siguro mas mag iingat kami, ayun.”
