Blacklist International star Johnmar “OhMyV33NUS” Villaluna has finally addressed the reason behind his absence from the Tier One-backed squad’s roster for the upcoming MPL Philippines Season 12.
The former league Most Valuable Player revealed on her podcast, The Trio, that neither she nor star jungler Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario had completely ruled out the possibility of returning to Blacklist International for this season.
However, several factors hindered their attempt to make a comeback, leading them to ultimately decide to skip the upcoming Season 12 – which serves as a qualification for the prestigious M5 World Championship scheduled to take place later this year in the Philippines.
(C) Moonton Games
“Actually hindi naman. Hindi ko cinlose yung sarili ko na ‘Ah sige Boss Tryke, kahit anong sabihin niyo, kahit anong gawin niyo magpapahinga talaga kami’ hindi ako ganun. Pero cinocommunicate ko sa kanila na hindi ako totally 100 percent na magre-rest. Ang sakin lang, anong magiging plano natin for S12,” said OhMyV33NUS.
“Ayun lang ang sakin kasi sobrang na-drain ako nung S11 saka MSC. Kung sasabak kami ng S12, gusto ko sana may plano tayo. Pero ayun nga, since sobrang igsi lang nung time ng preparation ng after ng MSC sa pasahan ng lineup, parang ang hirap na kaming maka-singit ni Wise,” she added.
Due to time limitations and after thorough discussions with management, OhMyV33NUS and Wise eventually concluded that taking a break and resting would be the best course of action, resulting in their plan falling through.
“Ako sabi ko, ‘Ano Boss Tryke, waiting lang ako sa kung ano yung plano niyo, kung ano yung desisyon niyo.’ Tapos ayun nga, pinaka tumuldok nun si Boss Tryke. Sabi ko sige, ano rest na talaga kami 100 percent na. Siguro gamitin na lang namin yung time na ‘to para ayun nga, para sa sarili namin, para ma-enjoy namin kung ano yung meron kami nga ‘yon. Family time, focus sa business,” she continued.
The former ONIC PH roamer also revealed that they had already intended to skip the 2023 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup, and they informed management, led by co-owner Tryke Guttierez, shortly after the team’s devastating 0-4 loss to ECHO in the MPL PH Season 11 grand finals.
This decision was based on their aspiration to participate in MPL PH Season 12. Unfortunately, teams were not allowed to change rosters leading up to the MSC, which once again thwarted their plans.
(C) MPL PH
“Going into playoffs, sinabi ko na na whatever happens, makapasok ‘man kami ng MSC, kakatapos pa lang ng regular season nun. Makapasok ‘man kami ng MSC, magpapahinga kami. Magpapahinga kami. Kung qualified kami sa MSC, ‘di kami maglalaro. Ayun yung sinabi ko,” revealed OhMyV33NUS.
“Eh wala rin naman kaming ginagawa that time dahil naghihintay kami ng interview, tinapik ko na sila. Kasi gusto ko rin na as early as possible, at least nakadecide na kasi desidido na ako na gusto ko na talagang mag-pahinga ng MSC. 100 percent. Literal na 100 percent. So right after nung grand finals, nandun na kami sa backstage habang waiting lang sa interview, tinawag ko yung coaching staff, tinawag ko si Boss Tryke sabi ko ‘Boss Tryke ah, mag-papahinga na kami ng MSC,” she continued.
“Sinasabi ko kila Boss Tryke na gusto kong mag–paghinga ng MSC kasi gusto kong mag-laro ng S12. Ayun exactly ang sinasabi ko sa coaching staff. Kasi sabi ko kay Boss Tryke ‘Boss Tryke, sobrang draining talaga.’ Alam ng buong team ‘yan, especially the coaching staff. Alam nila kung gaano ako ka-drain ng Season 11. Kaya sinabi nila ‘sige pahinga ka lang kung kailangan mo talaga mag-pahinga.”
She also revealed that the initial plan was to involve their MDL players, such as Ian “Rindo” Seguiran, Russel “Eyon” Usi, and Steve Nash “Steve” Calunuran.
Unfortunately, they were promptly informed by the league operations that promoting players from the MDL to the main roster for the MSC was prohibited according to the rules.
“Tapos ayun nga nag usap-usap, bakit gustong mag-pahinga. Then sabi ko draining naman kasi talaga. Sinabi ko yung reason ko and all which is alam naman na nila. Sabi nila sige, kung gusto talaga naming mag-pahinga pero pano yung MSC natin. Kasi yun yung pinakaunang concern syempre as the CEO. Paano yung MSC. International tournament pa rin yun eh. Tapos sabi nila, try na lang natin mag-angat from MDL like si Rindo and si Eyon or si Steve or something. Yun yung initial [plan],” OhMyV33NUS shared.
“So ayun nga, nung nalaman namin na bawal kaming mag-pahinga ng MSC, no choice kami. [Kailangan namin] na lumaro. Medyo nalungkot ako to be honest pero kilala mo naman ako, kapag tournament, tournament mode ako. Kapag warla mode ako, activate warla mode, warla mode ako. So nung MSC, sige bigay namin yung best namin kasi sabi rin namin ni Wise, ayaw naman naming mag-pahinga ng last place kami sa MSC. Ayun ang mindset ko going MSC.”
