By Alvin Huete

PHOTO: Tiebreaker Times

Onic PH started their Season 9 conquest on a high note after pulling off a breathtaking 2-1 victory against defending champs Blacklist International in the opening game of the 2022 MLBB Professional League, February 18.

After missing out the top podium spot for two consecutive final encounters, the M3 World Championship and MPL S8 silver medalists finally got their revenge versus the men in black and white.

Onic, led by their jungler Kairi "Kairi" Ygnacio Rayosdelsol, slayed the mammoths of the league with his Fanny, registering a 8/2/7 KDA in the third game to hail as the match MVP.

However, the new-look Blacklist – missing their power duo Danerie James "Wise" Del Rosario and Johnmar "OhMyVeenus" Villaluna – still established an exciting match-off and played all three games.

After a painful minions end which cost the Hedgehogs' revoked sweep chance in game two, Onic PH came out hungry for vengeance, upping their tempo with an early Fanny pick in game three.

The M3 World Championship silver medalists notched an early advantage with their early-game power spike heroes that delayed the enemy jungler's engagement with Fanny's steel cable-tornado strike and Pharsa's burst pickoffs.

The Filipino Hedgehogs ballooned their lead large enough and pushed forward to the enemy base at the 13th minute struck, but Blacklist's new jungler Kent Xavier "Kevier" Lopez was ready for his defensive duty as his Aulus claimed double kill with the hasteful axe smashes.

After a standstill, Onic PH forced out their rivals to blunder as Blacklist ESON over extended his position only to be slained by Gerald "Dlarskie" Trinchera's Onward and Allen Jedric "Baloyskie" Baloy's feathered air strike combo which also chipped a 6/5/17 KDA combined.

Blacklist managed to eliminate the Luminous Lord within the 23rd minute mark but Kiel Calvin "Oheb" Soriano's Torn-Apart Memory was too late as Onic destroyed the base and copped their first loss in the ninth season.

Meanwhile, Onic PH secured the first game at 14 minutes with Kairi on his MVP Lancelot with 7/1/3 KDA while Dlarskie seized 4/1/5 KDA on his Phoveus.

Blacklist International will play their next match with TNC on February 19, 8:00 PM PHST while Onic PH will clash against Nexplay Evos on the succeeding day at 4:00 PM PHST.


Edited by Jostle Doen Pilayre