Omega Esports' Z4pnu Consoles Raizen After Loss Against ONIC PH in the MPLI 2021
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Shortly after being eliminated from the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Invitational (MPLI) 2021, Omega Esports’s pro player Billy “Z4pnu” Alfonso reveals that it was a team decision to draft its star rookie Dean “Raizen” Sumagui in the MPLI 2021. Fans were eager to see one of the veteran players Kiel VJ “Kielvj” Hernandez in the tournament but the team opted to use their star rookie. Omega Esports had an upsetting run in the MPLI 2021 after dropping a 0-2 finish against ONIC PH in the group stage. Due to this, Raizen received criticism from some fans, saying that this would not have happened if Keilvj was playing instead of him.
Fans questioned Omega Esports’ decision to bench Kielvj in the MPLI 2021
The Mobile Legends Southeast Asia Cup (MSC) 2021 champions, Omega Esports had an upsetting match against MPL PH Season 8 runner-ups ONIC PH in the MPLI 2021. The series ended with a score of 2-0, in favor of ONIC PH.
Omega Esports put up a great fight and even managed to turn things around during the mid-game. However, ONIC PH’s relentless “Banana Split” tactic pressured the MSC 2021 champions and Omega could not secure crucial objectives. Despite the desperate attempts of Omega Esports to secure a win, the team was eventually eliminated from the tournament after ONIC Esports cruised through with a clean sweep victory.
After Omega Esports announced its exit from the MPLI 2021, the team received mixed comments from fans. Some showed their support while others questioned its decision to draft the rookie Raizen instead of the veteran Kielvj, who has a proven track record.
Through a vlog post, one of the team’s veteran players Z4pnu, revealed that the decision was made and agreed upon by the whole team, including Kielvj. The pro player spoke with Raizen after the match saying that the rookie needs to stay humble despite the fans bashing him on social media.
“The team made the decision to make you play. Your performance was good it’s just that ONIC PH is much cleaner with their strategy,” stated Z4pnu while talking to Raizen in the vlog.
Z4pnu then explained how ONIC PH was exceptional at keeping their opponents under pressure.
“Every time that the lord is up, they always manage to take us down,” stated Z4pnu. “ONIC PH’s playstyle is very clean.”
The veteran player stated that this marked the end of their esports run for this year. However, Omega Esports will be back on their competitive journey next year for the MPL PH Season 9.
It will be interesting to see if Omega Esports can redeem itself and get back in its MSC 2021 champion form for the next season of the MPL PH.
