Omega's Mikko, Kielvj relish first win in MPL PH S10

"Sobrang sarap sa feeling."

This was Kiel VJ “Kielvj” Hernandez and Deomark “Mikko” Tabangay's response, almost in chorus, moments after they registered their first win this season.

And they deserved the celebration as their solid performances versus TNC Pro Team helped Omega Esports secure a tie for second place two weeks into the season, unfamiliar territory for a squad known to be dwellers of the bottom half standings during the previous seasons.

For Mikko, it was something special as this was also his first win as a pro and he's grateful to the organization for giving him the chance to strut his stuff this season.

"Sobrang saya. Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako kasi nagtiwala sila (Omega) sa akin. Pinaglaro nila ako. Hindi lang nila ako ipinasok sa MPL para masabing nasa Omega Academy. Binigyan nila ako ng chance para ipakita ko yung dapat kong ipakita," he said.

The rookie roamer actually made his MPL Philippines debut in Week 1 together with Kielvj but suffered from comeback losses against defending world champions Blacklist International.

"Yung naging sakit namin nung Week 1 (vs Blacklist), dati pa yun. Sa scrim pa lang namin, lamang kami ng early pero di namin natatapos," explained Kielvj.

"Ngayon mas tinutukan namin yung malinis na pagshashotcall kung pano yung gagawin para makatapos pag may hawak ng lord kaya yun, nagdire-direcho na yung lamang namin hanggang matapos."

Kielvj, dubbed as "The King", was actually the main jungler of the Execration squad that won the MSC 2021 title before getting absorbed by Omega Esports in Season 8.

But the prodigy slowly lost his spot to up-and-coming jungler Dean Christian “Raizen” Sumagui in Season 8. The following season, he only played in one series.

Finally able to make his comeback this season, Kielvj is fully focused not only to perform individually but to help the team achieve their goals this season. 

"Kakabalik ko lang tapos maganda yung week ng Omega. Di lang kami (ni Mikko), pati si E2max at Ch4knu. Tulungan kami hanggang makapasok sa playoffs," he said

"Ngayong season wala na akong ibang iniisip kundi itong MPL lang talaga. Wala na akong ibang distractions. Gusto kong ipakita sa kanla (Omega) na ayaw ko sayangin yung ibinigay nila ulit sa akin na chance kaya todo effort ako ngayong Season 10."

—JMB, GMA News