Omega Esports’ pro player Billy "Z4pnu" Alfonso explains the reason behind the team’s lackluster performance during the first week of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Professional League (MPL) Philippines (PH) Season 9. Through a vlog post, Z4pnu stated that the team had adjustment issues due to having only played against Indonesian (ID) teams during scrim sessions. He added that the team will be making changes to its scrim sessions to avoid focusing too much on the meta of Indonesian teams. Z4pnu also stated that he had no idea why KielVJ did not play during Omega Esports’ opening series in the MPL PH Season 9.

Omega Esports struggles with adjusting to the PH meta in the MPL PH Season 9

Omega Esports had a rough start with a 2-0 defeat against both TNC Pro Team and ECHO in the first week of the MPL PH Season 9. The team’s substitute EXP Laner, Z4pnu, explained that this defeat does not mean the team is behind in the meta. The squad may just need adjustments to its game plan.

“Both team 1 and team 2 are practicing in case there will be player shuffles that will happen,” he said.

Z4pnu added that due to being busy with his new amateur MLBB team, Z4 Esports, he couldn’t supervise the Omega Esports squad that much. However, according to the Omega Esports’ former Gold Laner, Robert “Hito” Remar Candoy the team has been doing well against Indonesian teams during their scrim sessions.

“He (Hito) always says that they’re (Omega Esports) strong, they always crush Indo (Indonesians), RRQ (Hoshi), all the Indo teams,” said Z4pnu.

Despite the team doing well in the scrim sessions against Indonesian teams, Z4pnu believes this to be a problem when Omega Esports faces Philippines teams.

“The disadvantage on this is that they are getting used to the Indo meta but in the PH meta, everything is different,” he said.

He added that this was also the team’s problem before when they were all focused on the meta of Indonesia’s MLBB teams. This meant the team will have to make adjustments and figure out a way to deal with the Philippines' MLBB meta.

Z4pnu had no idea why KielVJ did not play in Omega Esports’ first series

During the pre-season of the MPL PH Season 9, Z4pnu promised fans that they would be seeing the fan-favorite jungler, Kiel “KielVJ” VJ Cruzem playing alongside Duane “Kelra” Pillas. However, fans were left disappointed when the star jungler did not show up in the first series against TNC Pro Team.

Z4pnu clarified that he had no idea why KielVJ did not play in the first series because he really thought Omega Esports planned on maximizing the veteran jungler’s potential in the first week of the MPL PH Season 9.

KlejVJ was able to play in the second match against ECHO, However, the result was still lackluster as the team ended its final series of the week with a 0-2 loss.

“The deal we made with Pakbet and E2MAX is to let KielVJ play for the whole first week, ” he said.

With the second week fast approaching, Z4pnu stated that he will be focusing on managing the Omega Esports squad. The veteran player is still hopeful that the team will be able to recover from this early defeat.

“I assure you Smart Omega (Esports) did not become weaker, E2MAX and Ch4knu just need to sync,” he said.

Despite the rough start, Omega Esports still has a chance at redemption in the second week of the MPL PH Season 9 as it is set to go up against RSG PH on 26th Feb at 8:00 PM (PHT).

Keep up with the live scores, schedule, stream links, and more with AFK Gaming's hub for the MPL PH Season 9.

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