MINANA Evos secured their place in the playoff season with a massive 2-0 upset of second-running ONIC Philippines in the penultimate week of the MPL Philippines Season 13 on Friday at the Shooting Gallery Studios.
The White Tigers (5-6) improved to 17 points to secure enough points and book their first-ever playoff appearance since Season 9.
Against ONIC, MINANA chose to go with John “Perkziva” Sumawan and Hall of Legends inductee Jeniel “Haze” Bata-Anon for the roaming and midlane roles, respectively, that provided the team with newfound dynamics.
“Pinag-isipan namin mabuti last week pa. Kung tutuusin, before pa magstart yung MPL nagdedecide na kami kung sino yung mga pwedeng pagsama-samahin sa mga players para ilaban sa stage,” explained MINANA head coach Christian “Bitoy” Casten on the move to have Perkziva and Haze play against ONIC.
“Then may nangyari this time na si LanceCy kasi namatayan ng mother so nagdecide kami na si Perkz and Haze na rin yung maglalaro. Pero kahit hindi ganun yung nangyari kay LanceCy, balak na rin namin talaga palaruin si Perkz at si Haze.”
MINANA pulled off a lopsided affair in the opener, highlighted by Ken “Kzen” Pile (Fredriin) double kill late in the 13th minute that sparked a game-winning 5-0 wipeout.
In Game 2, MINANA grabbed the lead from the early game but Frince “Super Frince” Ramirez’ (Lou YI) Diversion plays helped the Sonics cut down the deficit and secure the 17th minute lord.
However, Jan “Domeng” Delmundo (Harith) weaved his way through the lord pit for a double kill that proved decisive as MINANA successfully executed a base turret siege a minute later.
ONIC (8-3) suffered their third loss but remained in second with 24 points.
MINANA will try to crack the top half of the standings as they battle third-running ECHO on Saturday, April 27.
