Backstage, chaos was brewing. It was in the middle of Game 3 between ONIC PH and Team Secret at the MSC 2025. ONIC’s manager was ghost white. The social media handler looked like he had seen war. And the country manager? He may or may not have screamed.
But when the usually silent Haze starts screaming, you know all hell’s breaking loose.
“They needed a medic, everyone inside the room! Firne, Raff, Joms—I thought Joms died!” ONIC PH coach Tony “Ynot” Senedrin recalled, half-laughing, half-traumatized. He was referring to team manager Joms Clemeña, country manager Rafael Sanchez, and social media manager Firne Ally.
It was after a heart-stopping Game 3 that saw ONIC PH wrestle momentum back from Team Secret at the MSC 2025 quarterfinals of the Esports World Cup.
Haze erupted during the critical moments. “From backstage, he was yelling shot calls,” Coach Tony said. “It was a totally fun sight to see, to be honest.”
The fun wasn’t over. After securing the series 3-1, star gold laner Kelra flipped the switch.
Fresh from turning on what fans have dubbed “Savage Mode,” he was still unsatisfied. “Sa tingin ko sa performance ko, mas mag-iimprove pa ako bukas… Hindi pa maganda ang performance ko sa ngayon,” Kelra said.
(“I think my performance will improve tomorrow and in our upcoming matches. I don’t think my performance was good today.”)
Even with the win, ONIC PH was far from finished.
When asked about Team Secret’s decision to choose them as their quarterfinal opponent, jungler K1ngKong didn’t mince words.
“KidBomba, thank you for choosing us,” he said, looking deadpan at the camera. “I hope you regretted it.”
ONIC PH will face Selangor Red Giants, the defending MSC champions from Malaysia, in the best-of-five semifinals on August 1. The winner will advance to the MSC 2025 Grand Finals on August 2. Across the bracket, Team Liquid Philippines and ONIC Indonesia are set to collide for the other final slot.
The road to the $3 million championship is not just about gameplay anymore—it’s personal. And ONIC PH? They’re done playing nice.
