ONIC PH gold laner Kenneth “Nets” Barro made a crucial call in the team’s Game One bout against Blacklist International which proved the be the game-winning play that put them ahead early in the series.
During a tight tussle for the third Lord of the contest entering the 17th minute, Blacklist International was able to take the upper hand after catching out Nowee “Ryota” Macasa’s Paquito which forced Frince “SUPER FRINCE” Ramirez (Faramis) to pop his Cult Altar.
ONIC PH immediately retreated without any casualties while Nets, who switched to Rapid Boots just a few seconds after the encounter, went straight to Blacklist International’s top lane inhibitor turret to push.
The rest of ONIC PH then jumped the Blacklist International five to prevent them from defending. Still, Salic “Hadji” Imam (Valentina) and Edward “Edward” Dapadap (Esmeralda) managed to get back to take down the lone siege minion and keep Nets from taking down their base.
Nets, though, used his Flying Tackle to take one last shot at the base which ended the match.
“Nakita ko po sila na lima kasi sila sa Lord po kaya sabi ko po sa teammates ko ‘wag po nilang pauwiin kasi (pu-push) po ako sa top tapos nagawa naman po. Yun po talaga yung shotcall doon,” recalled the rookie gold laner.
ONIC PH head coach Kevin “Bluffzy” Reyes commended his wards for the heads-up play and said that the team’s chemistry, which they built during their stint in the amateur scene, was the main reason why they were able to pull off the crucial split.
“Di rin mangyayari yun kung hindi sa team chemistry. So, nag-shotcall si Nets na kaya niyang basagin yung tore, nag-respond yung apat na kakampi niya na alam na nila yung gagawin, ‘di nila pauuwiin,” said the first year tactician.
“Yun, tingin ko yung chemistry talaga ng team na ‘to yung bayad na bayad talaga kasi ang tagal na nilang magkakasama,” he added.
ONIC PH eventually closed out Game Two via a four-man Fatal Links coming from skipper Ralph “Rapidoot” Adrales in the final siege. That play resulted in two kills which gave the team the chance to deal Blacklist International its first loss of the season.
With the win, ONIC PH extended its winning streak to three games while also taking the top spot with a 4-1 standing.
