Minana EVOS is back in the playoffs after three seasons. And the squad made sure to share the moment with teammate LanceCy, who is going through a particularly difficult period.
This one’s for you bro.
Minana EVOS advanced to playoffs after a quick work of ONIC. At last, the squad is finally onboard for the playoffs, escaping their postseason curse since MPL Season 10.
And the whole team made sure to dedicate the victory to midlaner Lance "LanceCy" Cunanan, who recently lost his mother.
“Wala po kami ngayon sa tabi niya para i-comfort siya kasi po may game po kami. Pero itong game 'yung mindset po talaga namin para kay [LanceCy] talaga. Inaalay talaga namin ‘tong game na ‘to, gagawin namin ‘yung best namin para maboost 'yung [confidence] niya kasi wala kami ‘dun. So itong game na ito Inaalay po talaga namin sa kaniya,” jungler Ken "Kzen" Pile said after the game.
The White Tigers headed to the MPL Philippines Week 6 action with a slight tweak on their lineup against ONIC PH.
Veteran player Jeniel "YellyHaze" Bata-Anon replaced LanceCy as mid laner, while John "Perkz" Sumawan took the place of Brain "SpiderMilez" Santos as roamer.
During the post-game conference, Minana coach Christian “Bitoy” Casten shared the changes as he shed light regarding the sad news about LanceCy.
“Si LanceCy kasi namatayan ng [mother]. Nag-decide kami na si Perkz and si Haze na rin 'yung maglalaro. Kahit hindi ganun nangyari kay LanceCy, balak na rin naman talaga,” coach Bitoy explained.
Coach Bitoy did not disclose the cause of death.
LanceCy’s absence for the meantime called for each member of Minana EVOS to perform their best.
“'Yung pagkapanalo namin today kasi nag-step up lahat, bawat player bukod sa amin [coaches]. Nag-step up din kami kasi may pagkukulang kami sa coaching staff. Lalo sa akin, lalo 'yung mga kasamahan ko. So bali, nag-step up lahat,” Bitoy said.
Now, Minana EVOS would have to continue securing wins in the regular season to get a better chance of survival in the gauntlet format playoffs.