Nexplay EVOS started the MPL Philippines Season Nine hot, winning four of its first six games to kick-start its campaign.
It’s safe to say that everything was going well for the squad before an unfortunate incident in the league’s fourth week turned the team’s remarkable season into shambles.
In their final elimination match of the first half, Nexplay EVOS got stuck in traffic which forced them to forfeit their series against ECHO. Tears were shed during that fateful night. Indeed, it was a heartbreaking turn of events for the team.
From a legitimate title contender in the first half, Nexplay EVOS almost missed the post-season after losing five of its last seven matches in the second half. Luckily for the team, Omega Esports eliminated Blacklist International yesterday which automatically gave them a ticket to the playoffs.
“Ayaw ko talagang matalo sa ECHO,” said Setsuna “Akosi Dogie” Ignacio after the win.
“Kasi doon nag simula yung kamalasan e, basically hindi kami naka-move on after nung nangyari. Kung nakita mo umiyak si Zico, si Hesa, halos lahat sa amin talaga na-down nun tapos at that point parang nawalan na sila ng gana kada scrim hindi na nagsasalita, tapos ang conversation na lang is paano ‘pag nakalaban natin yung ECHO nun,” he added.
That’s why when the team finally got its much-awaited rematch against the star-studded ECHO on Sunday night, Nexplay EVOS made sure to leave it all out on the stage.
Despite playing from behind in Game One, Nexplay EVOS managed to turn things around all thanks to Jeniel “YellyHaze” Bata-anon’s Xavier, who recorded seven kills and six assists against one death in the Game One win.
Then, the team took a lopsided 17-5 win in Game Two capped off by Reiniel “URESHIII” Logronio’s Maniac on Dyroth.
With the victory, Nexplay EVOS moved up to the fourth spot with 19 points off a 6-8 record while also denying ECHO a slot in the upper bracket.
