Despite homesickness, Raizen silences doubters with solid outing vs Blacklist

Before Omega Esports took down Blacklist International in a dramatic reverse sweep in Week 5, the 2021 MSC champions struggled with three straight losses, leading to fans calling out the team for the mishaps and jungler Dean “Raizen” Sumagui getting the brunt of the criticism.

It didn't help that he struggles alone, revealing that he stays permanently at Omega's bootcamp.

"Medyo malayo yung bahay namin. Minsan two days, minsan isang araw lang yung rest day namin. Sa byahe pa lang ubos na," Raizen shared.

Despite the harsh comments from social media, he stayed focused and delivered the goods in their conquest of the reigning world champions.

"Di ko sila (fans) pinapansin. Alam ko na bad day lang talaga (kapag natatalo)," he said.

Rather than get discouraged by his situation, the losing skid actually became a motivation for Raizen.

"Gigil ako ngayon kasi three lose streak na. Gusto ko na ulit manalo."

True to his words, he responded tremendously in their series against Blacklist.

He delivered a highlight-reel play in Game 2 where he survived an 18th minute ambush despite fighting below half HP and outplayed three pursuing Blacklist members to buy enough time for a counter attack where they took a 3-0 wipe.

Omega used Raizen's exploits to execute a one-way push and force Game 3.

"Confident talaga ako na magpa-bait dun sa bot kasi saulado ko talaga si Julian eh. Alam ko yung lahat kung san malakas," Raizen told the press on Saturday.

"Sinabihan ko sila na kaya ko, may resu ako. Kaya sumunod din sila. Tapos ayun, nanalo kami sa clash."

With the losing streak behind them, Omega will once again need Raizen's stellar play to try to get a win-run going as they face Echo and TNC Pro Team in Week 6.

—JMB, GMA News