As I finished my breakfast, I took my bags and loaded it up my car. Got to the airport where the rest of the guys were at. Got in, checked in and then went to Customs. The first test, was clearing all our gear at customs. It was neat and cleared it with style, haha. First test was accomplished.
We boarded our flight and was off to Penang, then Langkawi. This will be the second year in a row that the WCA is hosted in the beautiful island of Langkawi. Still a bit stressed but our journey was pleasant. We rented a car for a week and headed to Aseania Hotel to check in.
For me, PALS events are my favorite paintball events I've played in. Best atmosphere, meeting paintballers from all over the world, meeting new and old friends and the rivalry is one of the kind! I've always had good times in each WCA I attend. Good and bad memories. The results were often good but not maximized yet. We're still a young team and need to learn a lot more to get results.
This year, we have our own field to practice in Magnum Paintball. It's the first of it's kind in Indonesia, fully equiped. And it's an honor representing it. But this year is a bit different from the last couple of years. The rosters have changed, new management, new players and a couple of new upcoming teams. So, the focus was a bit off our own team. Not an excuse though. Our team, Smokers, had high hopes of performing well for this event. Minus the practicing time, we were confident enough. Smokers, Comrades and Happy5 were ready for WCA 2012.
Thursday, we went to Mahsuri Hall to check on the field and also the Expo. A bit different from last years expo, but fully packed! New products and gear but it was a bit dark for my liking. The fields were better though. The division 4 field was isolated from the other fields so there wasn't a problem on hearing the loud noises for mechanical markers. The lighting was better than last years also, but still a bit dark. But overall, I love playing in WCA, especially on the astroturfs! The one thing I hate the most was the black bunkers on the division 3 field, it made the field look pretty dark.
Two of Magnum Players took part on the Maximus One with the Gun clinic and had improve their game. In the Captain's Meeting, we drew against OSB, Datis Girls, Joker Unit, Jogja United and Tora-tora. We were up against a tough group. After the Captain's Meeting we all had Team Meetings before we called it a night.
Day one, our first game against OSB, we timed and played our gameplan perfectly! Scoring the first point against them, but as this was a first time for many of our players playing a Race-to Format, we weren't ready for the second game. I was first ready as I looked at my other teammates to seem to panic, we had 30 seconds left before the start of our second game and still 4 of my teammates haven't come out yet. I called them to hurry up, as 10 seconds flew a yelled a gameplan as the arrived seconds before the game started. A blew out! We lost that game in under 1 minute and the score was 1-1. We came back to the pit, and I said don't panic, get your pods and fill up the air. We had one more chance of winning this set. We got back out, and I called out a gameplan. It was our "secret weapon" per say. Ten seconds! I was ready. As the buzzer sounded the game was on. I run and gunned to the center A as I was cutting the dorito player. Got a G and then focus on the center. Our dorito was already on the 40 and made a moved to pressure, but unfortunately slipped and fell over causing a gap on our dorito. As I glimpse backwards I see to more players leaving the field. Knowing that, it was up to me and Kelby to finish the game off, but we were against 4 opponents. One tried to flank Kelby from our snakeside. Luckily I saw the move and smoked him before he got to Kelby, giving Kelby a chance put a couple of bonus balls on him. But because of that move, I left the dorito side wide open as I got hit and our last player got flanked again. Wasn't my way of having a good game. We got back to the players area and talked about what happened. First of all, our inexperience of playing race-to format caused our second game. That was the crucial part. Second, closing out games and not being to rushing in to things. Third, we had no crew or coach. We tried to figure things out and after I looked at some games of the other opponents.
Our second game was against Datis Girls. New to the WCA but we couldn't take them easily as Datis is one of the most dominant team in Asia. For this game we had help from Dean to coach us. First set, we got smashed. they got quick kill on the snake and back center and pushed on forward. We changed our gameplan for the second game, I played the snake for the second game as Ikhsan was pushed to play Mid Snake. The buzzer started and I got two quick kills. Pushed down the snake but was to over confident. Got killed on the 50 snake but my teammates finished the game. Third game, same gameplan. This time, I played the snake better getting another 2 G's on the snake and dorito. As I was about to reload my third pod, the pod openned before I got it out of my pack. I tried to stop the spilling but accidentally broke a couple of paints in my pod, so I thought ok I'll just leave it in the pack as it wasn't a hit and grabbed another pod. We finished off the rest of the players and there was seconds left in the game. I sprinted and pushed the buzzer. Unfortunately, the referee called me out as they said the pod that I left on my pack that I broke inside was called a hit, just because someone outside the field said to the referee it was a hit. What can you say right? Another mistake was our remaining players that was alive left the field and as I got a 1 for 1, nobody was left inside the field so it was a no point ( We actually had 4 players alive, but 2 left the field before point was given ). So, the score is 1-1 with 5 seconds left. Again I called out secret weapon for the last point. We got two quick kills off the break but eventually time ran out. We drew against Datis Girls. I was devastated. That was the last game of the day so we had time to regroup.
Day 2, Our first game of the day was against Joker Unit from Thailand. A really good team. We got hammered 0-2, as we got penalties through out the game and had to start with 4 men on the second set. What I feared was being a reality. Second game was against Jogja United. They too was new to division 3 format, but was highly respected. This was a pride match. Indonesia vs Indonesia. First game, we played a whole new gameplan, getting to our bunkers safely and got kills of the break. Unfortunately, we got a 1 for 1 and blew the game wide opened, as I remained fighting 3 more got clipped on a bunker move. 1-0 to Jogja. I didn't dare to ask who got the 1 for 1 for what, not trying to cause panic in the pit, so I gas up and put pods in my pack and hurried back in. I yelled a new gameplan, to push the dorito side strongly. Second point started, another G off the break, we were bodies up had momentum, but didn't push the dorito side like expected. Than losing the dorito and snake side. Our back center filled in the snake side as I filled in the center. There was a player trying to bunker the snake side so I lined him, but the referee also called my snake side out. I got another kill on the dorito side and was confident I could finish the game off as I knew there was one guy left and knew where he was. All the sudden I got pulled, another 1 for 1. This time I was furious and had lost of words. Props to Jogja United who played a great game and beat us 2-0. I rushed out the pit and had to cool off. This was a low point. All of what I expected happened. But not the good way. It was something we could have prevented earlier in the year but didn't. So, 2 loses and 1 draw, with 1 one game to play. I had lunch and then prepared for the last game.
Our final game was against Tora-tora. We beat them 2-0. In that game, I didn't call even one gameplan. It was "just play the game" plan.
So, our record was 1 win, 2 loses and 1 draw. Not enough to go through. On another point, Comradez, a team I coach personally reached Sunday and Happy5 who just trained for one month got 4 wins. It was a Good result as Comradez finished 5th in the Division 4 WCA 2012. Playing wise, this was my worst WCA. But Tournament wise it was the best event I've gone. Seeing San Diego Dynasty, LA Infamous and Edmonton Impact playing live in front off me was awesome! Getting to know Pro Players like Oliver Lang, Ryan Greenspan, Bobby Aviles and more was a highlight! And the Players Party off the Hook!!
I can't wait for the next WCA 2013! As we prepare on the Offseason to get better, and we know we can get better!
This is Mastermind #07 signing off.
For me, PALS events are my favorite paintball events I've played in. Best atmosphere, meeting paintballers from all over the world, meeting new and old friends and the rivalry is one of the kind! I've always had good times in each WCA I attend. Good and bad memories. The results were often good but not maximized yet. We're still a young team and need to learn a lot more to get results.
This year, we have our own field to practice in Magnum Paintball. It's the first of it's kind in Indonesia, fully equiped. And it's an honor representing it. But this year is a bit different from the last couple of years. The rosters have changed, new management, new players and a couple of new upcoming teams. So, the focus was a bit off our own team. Not an excuse though. Our team, Smokers, had high hopes of performing well for this event. Minus the practicing time, we were confident enough. Smokers, Comrades and Happy5 were ready for WCA 2012.
Thursday, we went to Mahsuri Hall to check on the field and also the Expo. A bit different from last years expo, but fully packed! New products and gear but it was a bit dark for my liking. The fields were better though. The division 4 field was isolated from the other fields so there wasn't a problem on hearing the loud noises for mechanical markers. The lighting was better than last years also, but still a bit dark. But overall, I love playing in WCA, especially on the astroturfs! The one thing I hate the most was the black bunkers on the division 3 field, it made the field look pretty dark.
Two of Magnum Players took part on the Maximus One with the Gun clinic and had improve their game. In the Captain's Meeting, we drew against OSB, Datis Girls, Joker Unit, Jogja United and Tora-tora. We were up against a tough group. After the Captain's Meeting we all had Team Meetings before we called it a night.
Day one, our first game against OSB, we timed and played our gameplan perfectly! Scoring the first point against them, but as this was a first time for many of our players playing a Race-to Format, we weren't ready for the second game. I was first ready as I looked at my other teammates to seem to panic, we had 30 seconds left before the start of our second game and still 4 of my teammates haven't come out yet. I called them to hurry up, as 10 seconds flew a yelled a gameplan as the arrived seconds before the game started. A blew out! We lost that game in under 1 minute and the score was 1-1. We came back to the pit, and I said don't panic, get your pods and fill up the air. We had one more chance of winning this set. We got back out, and I called out a gameplan. It was our "secret weapon" per say. Ten seconds! I was ready. As the buzzer sounded the game was on. I run and gunned to the center A as I was cutting the dorito player. Got a G and then focus on the center. Our dorito was already on the 40 and made a moved to pressure, but unfortunately slipped and fell over causing a gap on our dorito. As I glimpse backwards I see to more players leaving the field. Knowing that, it was up to me and Kelby to finish the game off, but we were against 4 opponents. One tried to flank Kelby from our snakeside. Luckily I saw the move and smoked him before he got to Kelby, giving Kelby a chance put a couple of bonus balls on him. But because of that move, I left the dorito side wide open as I got hit and our last player got flanked again. Wasn't my way of having a good game. We got back to the players area and talked about what happened. First of all, our inexperience of playing race-to format caused our second game. That was the crucial part. Second, closing out games and not being to rushing in to things. Third, we had no crew or coach. We tried to figure things out and after I looked at some games of the other opponents.
Our second game was against Datis Girls. New to the WCA but we couldn't take them easily as Datis is one of the most dominant team in Asia. For this game we had help from Dean to coach us. First set, we got smashed. they got quick kill on the snake and back center and pushed on forward. We changed our gameplan for the second game, I played the snake for the second game as Ikhsan was pushed to play Mid Snake. The buzzer started and I got two quick kills. Pushed down the snake but was to over confident. Got killed on the 50 snake but my teammates finished the game. Third game, same gameplan. This time, I played the snake better getting another 2 G's on the snake and dorito. As I was about to reload my third pod, the pod openned before I got it out of my pack. I tried to stop the spilling but accidentally broke a couple of paints in my pod, so I thought ok I'll just leave it in the pack as it wasn't a hit and grabbed another pod. We finished off the rest of the players and there was seconds left in the game. I sprinted and pushed the buzzer. Unfortunately, the referee called me out as they said the pod that I left on my pack that I broke inside was called a hit, just because someone outside the field said to the referee it was a hit. What can you say right? Another mistake was our remaining players that was alive left the field and as I got a 1 for 1, nobody was left inside the field so it was a no point ( We actually had 4 players alive, but 2 left the field before point was given ). So, the score is 1-1 with 5 seconds left. Again I called out secret weapon for the last point. We got two quick kills off the break but eventually time ran out. We drew against Datis Girls. I was devastated. That was the last game of the day so we had time to regroup.
Day 2, Our first game of the day was against Joker Unit from Thailand. A really good team. We got hammered 0-2, as we got penalties through out the game and had to start with 4 men on the second set. What I feared was being a reality. Second game was against Jogja United. They too was new to division 3 format, but was highly respected. This was a pride match. Indonesia vs Indonesia. First game, we played a whole new gameplan, getting to our bunkers safely and got kills of the break. Unfortunately, we got a 1 for 1 and blew the game wide opened, as I remained fighting 3 more got clipped on a bunker move. 1-0 to Jogja. I didn't dare to ask who got the 1 for 1 for what, not trying to cause panic in the pit, so I gas up and put pods in my pack and hurried back in. I yelled a new gameplan, to push the dorito side strongly. Second point started, another G off the break, we were bodies up had momentum, but didn't push the dorito side like expected. Than losing the dorito and snake side. Our back center filled in the snake side as I filled in the center. There was a player trying to bunker the snake side so I lined him, but the referee also called my snake side out. I got another kill on the dorito side and was confident I could finish the game off as I knew there was one guy left and knew where he was. All the sudden I got pulled, another 1 for 1. This time I was furious and had lost of words. Props to Jogja United who played a great game and beat us 2-0. I rushed out the pit and had to cool off. This was a low point. All of what I expected happened. But not the good way. It was something we could have prevented earlier in the year but didn't. So, 2 loses and 1 draw, with 1 one game to play. I had lunch and then prepared for the last game.
Our final game was against Tora-tora. We beat them 2-0. In that game, I didn't call even one gameplan. It was "just play the game" plan.
So, our record was 1 win, 2 loses and 1 draw. Not enough to go through. On another point, Comradez, a team I coach personally reached Sunday and Happy5 who just trained for one month got 4 wins. It was a Good result as Comradez finished 5th in the Division 4 WCA 2012. Playing wise, this was my worst WCA. But Tournament wise it was the best event I've gone. Seeing San Diego Dynasty, LA Infamous and Edmonton Impact playing live in front off me was awesome! Getting to know Pro Players like Oliver Lang, Ryan Greenspan, Bobby Aviles and more was a highlight! And the Players Party off the Hook!!
I can't wait for the next WCA 2013! As we prepare on the Offseason to get better, and we know we can get better!
This is Mastermind #07 signing off.
