One more Philippine MLBB team has partnered with a major international esports organization.
ONIC Philippines announced it will be partnering with UK-based esports org Fnatic, now calling themselves Fnatic ONIC PH.
“Welcome to the new era. This is Fnatic ONIC PH! It’s our time, it’s ONIC time,” the organization announced via its Facebook page.
The partnership comes as the now-renamed Fnatic ONIC PH is coming off as a strong contender to the most competitive region in global MLBB, MPL Philippines. The Hedgehogs are currently the 4th-seeded team – an impressive run after proving to be one of the most unpredictable teams in the league.
Currently, the retooled Fnatic ONIC PH has acquired several key players, among them, gold laner Duane “Kelra” Pillas and star jungler King Cyric “K1NGKONG” Perez.
They have also acquired reinforcements formerly affiliated with Smart Omega, such as head coach Tony “Ynot” Senedrin and Patrick “E2MAX” Caidic.
ABS-CBN News reported that this is not the first time Fnatic has acquired Filipino esports players. Before they withdrew in 2023 from the Dota 2 scene, they worked with Filipino players Gabbi, Armel, DJ, and Jaunuel.
Fnatic is one of 30 teams selected for the Esports World Cup Club Support Program, which gives teams a one-time six-figure stipend if an organization is willing to enter new esports as well as additional funding each year if they drive viewership and fan engagement to the Esports World Cup.
“The Club Support Program is critical to the EWC Foundation’s vision of building a stronger esports ecosystem and elevating esports as global sports,” Esports World Cup foundation CEO Ralf Reichert earlier said.
