ONIC PH’s Coach Haze Has No Regrets at the End of MPL PH S17

The Sonics faced a unique challenge this season but they faced it with everything they had.

It was a heartbreaking end to MPL PH Season 17 for ONIC PH but Coach Jeniel “Haze” Bata-Anon took it in with stoic determination and deep pride in his team. Despite starting the season on the back foot, the team was able to improve to the point that they became genuine championship contenders.

“As a coach, syempre na-expect ko na magbubunga ‘yung mga practices namin,” Coach Haze told The GAME. “Kasi alam ko naman na medyo naga-adjust pa kami sa mga first few weeks. May bagong kaming player, inaayos pa namin ‘yung communications namin, et cetera.”

There were a lot of unknowns surrounding ONIC PH when Indonesian Gold Laner Clayton “Savero” Kuswanto joined the team. The obvious worry was that playing with an import would hamper the team’s coordination and that was true at first. But with a third place finish, just shy from securing a trip to MSC 2026 in Paris, it’s clear to see that the team has mostly overcome those challenges.

“No regrets kami kasi alam namin na binigay namin yung lahat,” said Coach Haze with stoic smile.

More Room to Improve

With their season now done, Coach Haze is now looking ahead into ONIC PH’s future. Their loss today may sting now but he sees only positive things ahead of them.

“Yung pinaka magandang takeaway ko is malayo pa yung mga players ko sa prime nila. Marami pang pwede idagdag sa kanila, marami pa ring pwedeng improvements. Di pa ito yung laro nila. Nakaka-excite lang for next season.”

However, when we asked him how he felt about his own debut as ONIC PH’s head coach, he was much more harsh on himself.

“Feel ko 1 out of 10 pa rin,” said Coach Haze candidly. “Marami pa akong errors, may mga games na hindi ako mabilis mag-adjust. Mas-nangigigil ako bumawi for my past self, gusto ko pa mag-improve.”

Coach Haze admits that he found it difficult to take on the role of head coach at first. He was constantly doubting and second-guessing himself but he eventually settled into it with the help of the Super Family.

“Y’ung tumulong sa akin is yung mga players mismo. Na-feel ko na nagtitiwala talaga sila sa akin kaya mas-dumali ‘yung trabaho. Nakatulong din yung staff, si Coach [Mark “Bluffzy” Delos Reyes], lalo na si Coach [Paul “Yeb” Miranda]. Siya talaga ‘yung nag-push sa akin mag-try maging head coach. Sabi niya na kaya ko naman and tinulungan niya ako step by step. Naging happy ako sa work ko kasi nagtitiwala sila sa akin. Na-enjoy ko yung ginagawa ko.”

With support like that, there’s no doubt that ONIC PH will bounce back stronger next season.

Banner image courtesy of MOONTON Games.