There’s still time for them to salvage their season and that’s what Oheb and his teammates are focusing on.
It’s been nothing but a massive struggle for veteran Gold Laner Kiel “Oheb” Q.Soriano and Blacklist International for the first half of the MPL PH S14. The once dominant team has found themselves at the bottom of the standings after the departure of some key members. Still, there was some light at the end of the tunnel after they won their first game of the season against TNC Pro Team.
However, Oheb and the team were not too happy with the win. “Hindi kami satisfied sa pagkanalo namin. Gusto namin manalo na sobrang one-sided talaga. Yung may less errors, malinis na laro. Tingin namin na hindi pa rin namin kayang tumapat sa mga top teams tulad kay Liquid PH or Falcons AP.Bren kasi marami pang kulang sa play namin.”
An understandable statement as stopping the bleeding is not exactly healing it. At a disheartening 1-6 match record at the end of the first half of the season, things are looking bleak. Still, the team is soldiering on with the drive to improve because this is what’s expected of them.
“Alam na namin ang dapat namin gawin,” said Oheb with a determined look in his eyes. “At tingin ko as professional players, trabaho namin maging composed at hindi talaga mawala ng morale. Hanggat hindi pa natatapos yung season, hindi pa tapos yung laban. Kaya pa rin namin manalo at baka maka-champion pa kami.”
This composure is also there thanks to Oheb and fellow veteran Salic “Hadji” Imam giving insights on how to work through the pressure. “Ang natutulong ko sa team, lalo na sa mga bagong players, ay sinasabi ko lang yung mga experiences ko dati. Kasi nangyari na to sa amin dati tsaka paano namin nalagpasan yung ganitong pagsubok.”
The Key to Victory
Now that the first four weeks of the season have passed, Oheb gives his insight on what Blacklist needs to turn their fortunes around for MPL PH S14. “Feel ko na kailangan talaga kami mag-stick sa isang lineup lang. Kasi habang tumatagal ang season, tapos palit ng palit kami ng mga players, feel ko nahihirapan bumuo ng chemistry and connection yung team.”
“Dapat kailngan na kumuha kami ng mga main five players,” continues Oheb. “Kasi lahat ng mga teams na nanalo sa MPL, ganun sila. Marami pa rin silang trinabaho para makarating sila sa nasaan sila ngayon. Kaya feel ko kailangan talaga namin trabahoin ang isang main five na maglalaro talaga, kahit manalo o matalo.”
Banner photo from MOONTON Games.