ONIC PH exits MPLI with 0-2 loss vs. RRQ Hoshi

ONIC Philippines. Photo from ONE Esports

by Drew Malihan

MANILA - It's not ONIC time... yet.

ONIC Philippines became the latest Filipino side to bow out of the ONE Esports MPL Invitational as they were dominated 2-0 by Indonesian contenders RRQ Hoshi on Day 3.

The M3-bound five were found on the inferior end of the high-octane RRQ offense in both two games, with the Indonesians finishing the two games in less than 22 minutes each.

RRQ wnt for an Yve, Yi Sun-shin, Esmeralda, Rubi, and Clint, while ONIC PH drafted Thamus, Mathilda, Claude, Lancelot, and Jawhead.

It was a fire against fire for both teams, with RRQ forcing ONIC PH to commit mistakes but with ONIC PH's mobility, limited the possible burst by the Indonesians.

The Filipino side however grabbed the upper hand in the mid to early late game as they claimed all the lords in the game, forcing RRQ to play defense with a rather offensive quintet.

However, a Falling Star Moon from R7's Esmeralda proved to be fatal for ONIC as they were forced to a five-by-five team fight that went to RRQ's favor, with Beemo left along away from the exposed base for a RRQ Game 1 win led by R7's 4/0/8 outing.

ONIC went to Game 2 with Khaleed, Alice, Aulus at core, Mathilda, and Luo Yi while RRQ drafted an Yve, Lancelot, Esmeralda, Ruby, and Bruno.

RRQ went to a hot start, dominating ONIC in the early game advantage and taking a thousand gold lead leading into the mid game,

From there, the perennial Indonesian contenders held on to their lead, built more momentum and gap themselves further against the Filipino side.

Despite best efforts, the lack of mobility in the mid lane by Baloyskie's Luo Yo became a prime target by RRQ with their mobile five, decimating ONIC PH in the late game to a dominant 21-6 Game 2 led by Alberttt's Lancelot's 5/1/14 KDA.

With ONIC bowing out of the MPLI, only MPL PH Season 8 champions Blacklist international and the new-look RSG Philippines were the ones remaining entering the quarterfinals, while RRQ will proceed to battle former coach Jamesss and Malaysian champions Team SMG in the quarterfinals.

Follow him on Twitter: @drewmalihan