Although they managed to reach the MPL PH Season 10 playoffs, ONIC PH seem to be struggling to connect the dots in the current season.
headline image courtesy of ONIC PH
As we head into Week 6 of the Mobile Legends Professional League in the Philippines, there is a rather interesting pattern forming in the standings. Bren Esports, having had a few rough seasons with roster changes and adaptation, are now blasting through the pack – leaving them in the current number 1 spot. Behind them is the M4 World Champions, ECHO, with RSG Slate PH and Blacklist International holding third and fourth, respectively. However, for Smart Omega Esports and ONIC, this season is proving tougher than expected.
Two teams which used to be challengers for the title in the region are now struggling to even keep themselves out of the knockout zone, with three weeks remaining in the Regular Season. Although TNC Pro Team remain in the bottom spot, with little to no chance of jumping into the playoffs, Omega and ONIC are both fighting a battle with Nexplay EVOS to avoid being knocked out early in the tournament.
For Omega, the loss of Ch4knu, Z4pnu, E2MAX, and Kielvj could be a huge factor, as new players and new positions are a relevant factor in the new season. With that said, the team have shown some decent performances, managing to overcome RSG in Week 2 and even take down ONIC last week – but this is just not enough. This week sees a replay of Week 2, with RSG and Blacklist on the cards, which could serve as two massive series for the once MSC champions.
Close behind Omega is ONIC, who have not seen the same roster changes, which begs the question of why they are struggling this season. The team seem unable to make some of the more “meta” heroes work in Season 11, especially the likes of Valentina – while they are able to utilise the likes of Karina and even Terizla in victories. With ECHO and Nexplay awaiting them this weekend, ONIC will need to muster all their power to push these two teams to their limit and hopefully leapfrog the latter.
While Bren and ECHO seem to have the Regular Season on lockdown, the rest of the group is shrouded in mystery, as the final three weekends of MPL PH Season 11 will reveal what will come of the playoffs. Hopefully both ONIC and Omega can up their game, but it is also likely that the rest of the teams will follow in kind.
