Team Nemesis stuns Japan's Fennel to advance at Pokemon worlds

SAN FRANCISCO, United States – Entering the Pokemon World Championships, Team Nemesis has repeatedly said Team Fennel of Japan is the team to beat. 

On Saturday, they did just that.

The Philippine-based Team Nemesis barged into the next round of the Pokemon World Championships after a crucial victory over powerhouse Fennel, 2-1, in the group phase of Pokemon Unite Saturday (Manila time) at the Moscone Center. 

“Sobrang saya.Sobrang saya namin talaga. Kasi ilang years na namin gusto talunin sila sa international stage talaga. So ngayon, nabigyan kami ng chance na talunin talaga sila ngayon,” Nemesis’ RBX told Philstar.com. 

“Pinakita na hindi kami papatalo talaga. Bad start man kami, pero yung puso ng Pinoy talaga, yan ang matatag talaga.” 

Entering the matchup with Fennel, Nemesis had a 1-1 win-loss record after defeating DMX and absorbing a defeat against LuneX. 

With the three teams holding similar 1-1 slates, the Philippines needed a win over the then-undefeated Fennel to punch a ticket to Day 2 without complications. 

And it was not an easy. The first game of the best-of-three matchup ended with a dominant win by Fennel, 1002-138.

Nemesis was able to force the third game after bouncing back thanks to the performance of Sync1’s Cinderace, 781-107. 

In the deciding matchup, it went down to the wire. 

Nemesis was holding a slim 231-213 lead. 

And, as Kyogre spawned, the two teams clashed near the Boss Pokemon. A last hit by Fennel brought them the much-needed boost, pushing them ahead, 255-231, with 21 seconds to go. 

The Japanese, then, defended its goal zone on top, and it seemed that Nemesis was on the way to a heartbreaking loss. 

But Miva’s Sir’Fetchd went to the bottom goal zone, defended by Fennel’s Ma?sh1o. The former was able to kill the latter, and with one second to go, scored the game-winning goal that pushed the Philippines ahead 331-225 in stunning fashion. 

Fennel is one of the top teams in the Worlds right now, and is seen by many as the championship favorites. 

With the massive victory, RBX stressed that they have shown that they have what it takes to go deep this tournament. 

“Napatunayan namin sa level namin na kaya namin sumabay sa international stage at sa world stage. So kailangan pa namin mag-push for tomorrow talaga na more head-levelled talaga na focus lang and then more energy, na gigil, nandun pa rin,” he said. 

“Gusto ko lang yung energy na binibigay ko sa team ko na kahit nanggigigil ako, sila kalmado lang and then mas much focus sila and much keener yung mga senses nila sa mga skills nila.” 

Miva, in a separate interview, said he did not mind the pressure as he just focused on getting the win. 

“Ano kasi nangyari doon, nung nakuha namin yung objective, yung Kyogre, naaalala ko nagcall si [coach Berty] na mag-bot daw ako. Kaya pumunta ako sa bot, tapos may nagde-def. Tapos yun, pinatay ko yung nagde-def. Tapos 1 second, umabot, clutch. Nakascore ako, panalo kami,” he said. 

“Kasi focus ko na yung mga time na yun, nakafocus talaga ako sa kung anong gagawin.” 

Now with a momentum-boosting victory, their aim of shooting for a podium finish is very much alive and well. 

Aside from Team Nemesis, the Philippines’ Noah Alampay is also advancing to Day 2 of the senior VGC event with an undefeated 8-0-0 slate. Ryan Kenrick Chua is also heading to the next round of the VGC masters’ event with a 6-2-0 record. 

Scott Carlisle Go will compete in Day 2 for the Pokemon TCG’s juniors tournament with a 5-2-0 record. 

The second day will continue on Sunday (Manila time).