Despite a decent performance on Paquito in the Game One loss, Nexplay EVOS jungler John Paul “H2wo” Salonga was curiously subbed out of the series and was replaced by rookie Michael “MP the King” Endino.
According to Nexplay EVOS head coach John “Zico” Dizon, the team lacked communication in the 6-18 opening loss to RSG PH. Nexplay EVOS usually turns to Reiniel “URESHIII” Logronio – the team’s designated shot-caller – in these kinds of situations to lead the squad.
But with URESHIII not at the venue to help the team, Zico decided to insert the more vocal MP the King to try and control the team in-game. After all, he was the lone substitute that the team had for the RSG PH match.
And the fact that he’s more vocal in-game made him the best choice for the team at the time.
“Hindi naman talaga dapat si H2 yung papalitan doon, dapat talaga si S4git,” said Zico on Saturday night. “Kaso nga lang, hindi namin dala si URESHIII. Ang naging kulang sa kanila kanina is yung shot call, walang nag co-control kay Cadenza e dapat si URESHIII yun.
“Ang pinagkaiba kasi ni H2 and ni MP, mas maboses si MP sa kanya kaya mas pinili ko munang i-pasok si MP nung second game pero dapat talaga si S4git papalitan siya ni URESHIII,” he added.
Unfortunately, the switch failed to make a difference as the team once again suffered a 6-18 loss in Game Two this time in 18 minutes and 43 seconds to cap off the series. This is the team’s second consecutive loss since its default defeat against ECHO last week.
Zico said that the team must learn to communicate with each other and not rely on URESHIII alone.
“Feel ko hindi lang nila sinasabi pero parang may mga personal na problema sila e. Pansin ko talaga sa kanila, kaya pinagalitan ko sila after ng game kasi parang wala sila sa sarili, although yung results naman ng scrim namin dun sa specific na lineup na yun [Game One] is okay naman,” shared Zico.
“Siguro sa comms talaga. Kailangan nila lahat matuto mag comms, kasi hindi naman puwedeng umasa lang kami sa isang tao palagi. Paano ‘pag hindi talaga puwede mag laro yung isa na yun, edi lagi na lang kaming talo ng ganun. Improve namin yung comms namin and kailangan din namin ng bonding kasi medyo hindi pa sila komportable sa isa’t isa,” he continued.
Teams are allowed to bring all 10 players as long as the reserves will stay inside the team’s car.
Nexplay EVOS will take on ONIC PH tomorrow at 6:00 PM.