MPL-PH: ONIC PH beats not one, but two OMG rosters in 2-0 fashion

In what casters called the “Ultimate Grudge Match of the Season”, the mostly ex-Smart Omega players who now suit up for ONIC Philippines defeated their former teammates in a dominant and convincing fashion, 2-0, at the opening match of MPL Philippines Season 13 Week 2.

In game 1, Smart Omega fielded the Omega New Bloods roster of Gabriel “Louis” Ariola, Ron “Matt” Papag, Ryan “Rayl” Asaoka, Christian “West” Mangabay and Mark “Marked” Florencio against ONIC Philippines’ Grant “Kelra” Pillas, King Cyric “K1NGKONG” Perez, Frince “Super Frince” Ramirez, Jomearie “Escalera” Delos Santos, and Jem “Jem” Lanojan.

The Sonics went up dominant in the early game against Barangay Omega and closed the game out in a 6-0 kill run to score the first dub.

However, Omega surprised everyone by pulling off a full roster substitution, fielding their veteran players: John Paul “H2WO” Salonga, Dexter “Exort” Martinez, Carlito “Ribo” Ribo, Nowee “Ryota” Macasa, and Jomari “Jowm” Pingol.

 

Despite what appeared to be a threatening lineup of a World Champion, multiple tournament winners, popular stars, and an ex-ONIC player, The Hedgehogs upped the ante in Game 2 and completely dominated against the Barangay to close out the game.

Both teams felt the gravity of the moment, and the former Omega members who are now part of ONIC gracefully went ahead to the Omega side of the stage after the match, proving that even in the most intense of competitions, the storyline bloodlines and friendships connecting both teams are still engaged in healthy and friendly competition.

 

 

Omega head Coach Ronel “Stronger” Tan said, part of the reason why they fielded the all-veteran team in the second game was to get a feel of the veteran squad in the game.

“Clearly our game 1 was one-sided,” Coach Stronger told reporters in the post-match presser. “It pains me to say this, but we also need to gather data because we have a 10-man roster. Its only our 3rd match and all hope is not lost,” he added.

As for H2WO, who last played in MPL Philippines Season 11 under his former team RSG Philippines, it was a bittersweet return to the big leagues.

“I missed it of course, because I wasn’t able to play for one season,” H2WO told reporters. “I feel so happy because I get to play again in the big stage, however, we lost. So we’ll do better and I’ll make sure to improve!”

 

 

Meanwhile, both Kelra and ONIC PH Coach Patrick “E2MAX” Caidic admitted, facing off against their former comrades gave them extra motivation to win.

Kelra and E2MAX have long been associated with the Barangay, having played with, and in the case of E2MAX, coached, their former teammates for multiple MPL Philippines seasons.

“Yesterday, I felt pressured. I feel like I need to prove something to them,” Kelra admitted. “When we came to this series, our mindset of course was not to lose to our old team and it can be a potential statement and people may ask so many questions about it.”

For E2MAX, this was the team he felt the most threatened.

“Of all the preparations we did, this was the one that made me nervous. Omega was our former family. We know their capability and we know what they are doing. That’s what’s making us overthink when we prepare compared to other teams,” E2MAX told reporters in their post-match media scrum.

Head coach Tony “Ynot” Senedrin also said, part of their preparations was to “tone down” the hunger for victory from their fellow ex-Omega colleagues now playing for ONIC.

“[Coach] Bam [Unida] was gritty, he and those two (Kelra and E2MAX). When we started in December, Kelra was also feeling gritty. It’s more of toning that down so we can focus and do what we needed to do,” Coach Ynot told reporters.

Smart Omega will face off against Blacklist International in the so-called “Manila Classico” of MPL Philippines on Sunday, while ONIC PH will face off against Minana EVOS on Saturday.