Omega Esports’ pro player Billy “Z4pnu” Alfonso and Blacklist International’s coach Kristoffer "BON CHAN" Ricaplaza settled the differences between the two teams' star players in a Livestream on 26th Oct 2021. According to Z4pnu, the issue started way before the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Championship (MSC) 2021. It all started during an amateur tournament called Moymoy Palaboy Cup where Blacklist International’s Kiel "Oheb" Soriano was flashing the middle finger which caused Omega Esports’ Duane “Kelra” Pillas to take offense. Through a live video call, Z4pnu and BON CHAN explained their side of the story and decided to end this prolonged feud once and for all.
Z4pnu explains the root cause of the issue between Omega Esports and Blacklist International
Through a live stream, Z4pnu informed the fans that the rivalry between Kelra and Oheb stretches far before the MSC 2021, back when the Omega Esports squad was playing under Execration. According to the pro player, it all started during an amateur tournament where Oheb flashed two middle fingers after their match against Execration which triggered Kelra.
“I get his (BON CHAN) point that Kelra flashed a middle finger during MSC (2021),” stated Z4pnu. “But it didn’t start on the MSC, it started during Moymoy Palaboy.”
The pro player confirmed that Kelra was indeed trying to retaliate by flashing a middle finger towards Blacklist International during MSC 2021 but the young prodigy was immediately stopped by Z4pnu, Renz “Renzio” Cadua, and Patrick “E2MAX” Caidic.
The rivalry between the two went out of hand when Kelra made homophobic remarks towards Blacklist International’s team captain Jhonmar "OhMyV33nus" Villaluna during the pre-season of the MPL PH Season 8. Kelra was soon penalized by the MPL PH. During the MPL PH Season 8, OHEB also retaliated by flashing another middle finger in front of the camera which also resulted in him being suspended for two matches.
Z4pnu and BON CHAN came to an agreement to end the toxic rivalry between Kelra and Oheb
Later in the livestream, Z4pnu agreed to talk to BON CHAN through a video call. The Blacklist International coach accepted the request and the two discussed how to diffuse the issue between the teams' troublesome rookies.
Both reminisced on the good times where both teams were peaceful and would go out and have fun together after a match.
“I wish everything would go back to the way they were before,” stated BON CHAN.
“I agree, everything was good back then. I have no idea why it became worse,” echoed Z4pnu. “Of course, Kelra talked ill about V33nus but he did apologize. It feels like this (issue) never ends.”
The Blacklist International coach revealed that they have been mentoring OHEB to help him conduct himself more professionally. They wished for OHEB to redeem himself through winning matches rather than indulging in toxic behavior.
Both Z4pnu and BON CHAN continued their discussion over how they could settle the issue between the two rivals. In the end, the two settled on the idea of having the two pro players speak personally and allowing them to make amends.
It will be interesting to see both OHEB and Kelra fostering a healthy rivalry as they move forward into future Mobile Legends tournaments.
