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| Onic is back to being independent for 2025. Moonton (file photo) |
MANILA—Mobile Legends Bang Bang giant Onic put a closure to its collaboration with Fnatic in line with the new eligibility rules in the Esports World Cup.
In separate statements on Saturday night, the two teams representing Onic in the MPL, Onic Indonesia and Onic Philippines, thanked Fnatic for the alliance they built last year.
"It’s been an honor to collaborate with one of the top esports organizations in the world and we would like to thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the Fnatic family," said the Philippine team, the newly-crowned M6 World Champion.
"From epic plays to countless memories, it’s been an honor sharing this path with you. This isn’t goodbye—just see you later. Fnatic, you’ll always have a place in our story," added the Indonesian squad, which made it to the MSC, a part of the EWC's inaugural staging.
An updated EWC rule states that joint ventures will no longer accumulate points for the bigger club if they make it to an EWC event.
In hopes of racking up as many points in the EWC standings as possible in the MSC, Fnatic, Team Falcons, and Team Liquid forged alliances with Onic, AP Bren, and the Stun.GG group that owned Aura and Echo, renaming the teams as Fnatic Onic Indonesia, Fnatic Onic Philippines, Falcons AP Bren, Liquid Aura, and Liquid Echo, respectively.
The trick worked for Falcons and Liquid as they went 1-2 in the final EWC standings partly due to Falcons AP Bren finishing second and Liquid Echo going third in the MSC.
The EWC then introduced the amended rules on joint ventures, prompting Liquid, which acquired a majority share of Stun.GG last May just before the Echo franchise participated in the MPL Philippines Season 13 Playoffs, to rename its MLBB clubs Team Liquid Indonesia and Team Liquid Philippines ahead of MPL's 14th season in the two countries right after the MSC.
Liquid ID made it to the M6 grand finals only to be dominated by Onic PH in five games.
With its mother company's decision, though, the Onic franchises are now back to being independent teams ahead of the Indonesian and Philippine leagues' respective 15th seasons set to begin next month.
"Nevertheless, we wish nothing but the best for your future. On to new adventures!" Onic PH further said in its farewell statement to Fnatic.
AP Bren has yet to make a statement about its future with Team Falcons, but rumors have it that the Saudi Arabian-based club is considering absorbing the entire AP Bren quintet to be known as Team Falcons Philippines ahead of MPL PH Season 15.
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