Onic Philippines, composed of the core roster of Monster Anarchy, was all smiles after finally breaking their curse against Minana Esports-backed Nexplay Evos courtesy of a 2-1 thriller in Week 2 of the MPL Philippines Season 11.
Back during their Monster Anarchy days, the team was viewed as one of the top amateur teams in the country but seemed to always fall short against Cerebrum Esports, now playing under the Nexplay Evos banner.
“Di talaga kami nananalo sa kanila sa amateur. Lagi pong bitin yung ano namin..yung sa finals. Sa finals lagi kaming talo,” recalled Onic PH goldlaner Kenneth “Nets” Barro.
Stephen “Sensui” Castillo thinks it was their work ethic that heavily affected their performance in the amateur scene, especially with their losses to Cerebrum.
“Sobrang ano ng work ethic namin nun eh, after ng mga matches namin di na nagpapractice. Kanya-kanya na,” he said.
And the same work ethic made the difference as they finally ended their slump against their tormentors.
“Ibang-iba na yung work ethic namin ngayon. Mas disiplinado kami ngayon. Kumbaga ito yung pinakaform namin kaya feeling ko kayang kaya namin sila,” the Onic PH jungler claimed.
For Onic PH head coach Kevin “Bluffzy” Reyes, it’s all about the mindset.
It’s the approach of the coaching staff in guiding the team that helped them finally get over the hump.
“Lagi rin kasi namin pinapaalala sa kanila [na] yung amateur scene is different na sa MPL,” revealed the coach.
“Kasi at some point yung competition medyo nakakadagdag din dun sa pressure na kailangang kailangan manalo,” he continued.
“Ang samin lang, laruin lang namin ‘yung laro namin. Kailangan namin manalo dito sa MPL. Hindi namin kailangan patunayan na mas malakas kami sa kanila.”
