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| Photo from MPL Philippines |
by Drew Malihan
MAKATI - Last MPL Philippines Season 13, ONIC Philippines were in the middle of a meteoric rise as they led the league during the first four weeks with a 7-1 record
However, it all went downhill from Week 5 after getting only two wins and incurring four losses in their last six matches before suffering a heartbreaker against Blacklist International to end their postseason prematurely.
From there, FNOP shuffled their lineup and brought in Borris "Brusko" Parro, Jann Kirk "Kirk" Gutierrez, Brain Milez "SpiderMilez" Sanchez, and assistant coach Jeniel "Haze" Bata-anon to the Hedgehogs' nest.
It sparked an already historic run for Fnatic ONIC PH, eclipsing the longest win streak set by Blacklist last Season 8 and ECHO in Season 12, and even doubling down on reigning world champions Falcons AP.Bren to cement their domination in the local Mobile Legends pro scene.
The team was putting up dominant yet entertaining matches, but outside the MPL arena, they are also the biggest entertainers on their social media channels. The team posted several funny content, from SpiderMilez and Duane "Kelra" Pillas having a dance after a skit from Brusko and King Cyric "K1NGKONG" Perez to teasing Kirk after attracting some fans after their games.
It seems Fnatic ONIC has finally found its identity, and coach Anthony "Ynot" Senedrin pointed out their experiences in their past teams that contributed in getting the "Super Family" personality.
"I will forever cherish yung mga past experience ko, lalo na yung nakilala ko si Kelra when we were on the previous team," Ynot said in the post-match press conference after a 2-0 thumping of Falcons AP.Bren.
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| Kelra (leftmost) and coach Ynot (standing, center) during their Omega days. Photo from Smart Omega |
Ynot and Kelra became teammates in Smart Omega when they acquired the lineup of former Execration when the league transitioned to a franchise league, with the former officially reprising his coaching duties in Season 9 before the two departed for ONIC in Season 13.
"Yung change, yung idea ng esports na dinala ng Execration to Omega. Yung family bond na until now you can see Kelra comforting E2MAX. You can see him messaging Kiel (Kiel VJ "Kielvj" Cruzem). Yung whole dynamic ng family doon kasi nag-start," he added.
After acquiring the four newcomers for Season 14, Ynot said that the team quickly clicked after a few days of being together in the boot camp, with the players complimenting and checking one another with their antics.
"Given yung few months na magkakasama kami nung unang araw pa lang, na-rekta agad ni Brusko si Kelra na 'Uy pare sumosobra ka na, sumosobra ka na sa mga pantitrip mo,'" the Fnatic ONIC PH gaffer said.
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| Photo from MPL Philippines |
The "family bond" they planted reaped rewards of great proportions, and Ynot acknowledged the fruits of their approach.
"Were really just enjoying the moment. Yun din siguro yung isang factor kaya wala kaming nararamdamang pressure. Kasi alam naming at the end of the day, when they go there, pagbaba naming ni Haze sa stage, they got each other's back," he stated.
Now that Fnatic ONIC Philippines has finally found its personality - laid back and easygoing but competitive and in-your-face - the Super Family is still looking for more history, and maybe even the MPL trophy as the icing on their already sweet cake.
Follow him on X: @DMalihan_DPH
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