MTB laments RORA’s lapses in MPL PH Grand Finals decider vs FNOP

Aurora Gaming coach Aniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani did not sugar coat his words as his players committed a crucial lapse deep into Game 7 of the winner-take-all series against Fnatic ONIC in MPL Philippines Season 14 Sunday night.

 

After seeing his team fight back from a 1-3 hole to staging an aggressive start in the deciding game, MTB said that his players were in a hurry to finish things off.

 

Things looked bright for RORA when they seized a 600-gold lead after taking the evolved lord near the 20-minute mark of Game 7. 

 

Though FNOP were still all alive at that point, RORA already had six turrets down and summoned the lord shortly after. The evolved lord marched on to FNOP’s base where they threatened to complete the comeback.

 

But engaging in a team fight, RORA came up with the short end of the stick as only Dominic “Domeng” Delmundo was the only one left after the carnage. The crucial exchange which opened the door for FNOP’s championship play, MTB admitted that it was emotions that steered the way for the team.

 

[RELATED: Kelra, Fnatic ONIC snag elusive MPL PH crown in cardiac win over Aurora Gaming]

 

“Ang ideal talaga na mangyari dun is hindi muna i-end ['yung match]. Ideally talaga, hindi talaga end-able kasi kahit nakuha namin 'yung lord, buhay kasi lahat ng members ng ONIC. So kung gusto namin i-end 'yun, kailangan mapatay namin sila. Ideally,” MTB said after the match with a solemn RORA on his side. 

 

“Pero kahit siguro ako yung nasa sitwasyon nila, na Game 7, Finals, nakita mo 'yung lord pumasok sa base, susubukan mo pa rin i-end eh. Ideally siguro, siguro kung normal tournament maiisip nila 'yun, pero sa pressure siguro mahirap siyang magawa,” he added.

 

But rather than focus on their mistakes, MTB said that he understood the situation of his players, especially since they fought back from a 1-3 deficit. With all momentum on their side, it was hard to think logically and make the best decisions.

 

Now with Season 14 over and done with, it will be a learning experience for his team — plain and simple. 

 

“'Yun 'yung bagay na kailangan namin ma-improve na kahit na anong game 'yan, dapat naka-compose kami kahit na sobrang nakalamang kami, composed pa rin dapat. Siguro 'yun pa rin 'yung pwede pa namin i-improve. Pero tingin ko, makukuha lang namin 'yun pag na-experience namin. Lalo na 'yung experience namin ngayon,” he said.

 

At the end of the day, even with his candid answer on what went wrong, MTB said that he also had nothing else to say about his team.

 

Fighting from 1-3 down in a series where they were considered the underdogs, he beamed with pride.

 

“Di ko masabi [yung nangyari] kasi maganda rin talaga yung ginawa ng ONIC. Siguro meron pa kaming mga mistakes pero tanggap namin yung mga mistakes eh. Tanggap yung mga errors, nangyayari siya talaga sa game.” he said. 

 

“Tingin ko naman binigay namin lahat, alam ko mismo binigay ng buong team lahat ng buong best nila. Sadyang mas nanaig lang talaga 'yung ONIC.”

 

With the heartbreak of Season 14 behind them, RORA now shifts their focus on a bigger challenge ahead: The M6 World Championships in Malaysia. There, they will represent the Philippines along with Fnatic ONIC in an attempt to return the M-Series trophy to the Philippines.