Season Opener - MPOC 1st Leg 2013

I wasn't expecting to play this MPOC because I planned to start my Paintball season on PALS Bangkok 2013. I was contacted by my friend Mahmood Setiaraja and asked if I wanted to play at MPOC 1st leg. It was great getting an offer to play paintball, but due too personal reasons, I couldn't answer right away. I talked to my great friend Hadi Gunawan about this and he said to me it would be good playing for Waxers Legion, so eventually I said yes. Hadi and I will be playing for Waxers Legion this first MPOC for the 2013 season!
The day before my flight to Kuala Lumpur, Hadi explained that he might not be able to come due to the flood in Jakarta, but I still had hope he could come as he is my mentor in Paintball and I learn this sport a lot from him. My flight was in early Friday Morning, 6.20 am. I arrived at LCCT airport Kuala Lumpur around 8 o'clock in the morning. I asked Hadi whether or not the situation in Jakarta has resolved, but it came to a fact that flood got worst, so it was confirmed that my friend couldn't come to MPOC this leg.
I got some maps of Kuala Lumpur and had breakfast while looking at the maps so I could find a good way to travel ( I had to go to Sri Petaling ). After finishing my breakfast and a long hard studying the map, I came to a conclusion, I have to ask somebody (Hahahaha). So, I went to the information desk and asked for directions. After getting them, it was smooth sailing. I took a bus to the train station. After arriving, I took the train to Bandar Tasik Selatan. I love riding the train. It was full air conditioned and had a comfy feeling. I arrived at Bandar Tasik Selatan train station and had to switch trains using the IRT to go to Sri Petaling train station. From this point it felt like I was in Amazing Race (hahaha). Do know I was carrying my backpack and my really big Planet Eclipse Paintball gearbag.
Soon as I got to Sri Petaling train station I realize I had no idea where I am, so glad I had a smartphone, and I used it for good terms. I opened the GPS system so I know where I was. I searched for Citotel Hotel and got the directions. It was a half an hour walk, so I decided I would walk from the train station to the hotel. I did exactly that. And five minutes on to my walked I looked at the GPS again. I had been walking the wrong way. Fuuuuuuuuh!
I turned around and walked the right way. 15 minutes into my walk, some police officers driving a car stopped me ( maybe was curious because I was walking with a Big Planet Eclipse Gearbag ). They asked me for my documents and where was I going and what was I doing in Kuala Lumpur. I gave my documents and said I was going to play in a Paintball Tournament and they immediately knew what was paintball, gave back my documents and told me to have a safe walk. I was really amazed that here Paintball is really big and how it reflects on people here. The policemen's face was all curious with me but when I said paintball they were all smiles and helpful.
I arrived at Citotel Hotel and checked in. I decided to take a nap before heading to the field. I woke up at 3 in the afternoon with a big hunger. I took a shower and then went downstairs to have lunch. After paying I made my way to Bukit Jalil Stadium, it was a 15 minute walk so I took my time. Got to the field and walked the field. I met Zack and the others from Beezwaxers and went back to the hotel with them. I got a text to be at the field at 6.45am, so I went to bed early.
The following day I woke up at 4.30am, took a bath and prepared my gear for day 1 of MPOC 2013. I went downstairs to go to 7-11 and bought some beverages and breakfast, took my gearbag and headed to the field.
Day 1. The team was quite new, bringing some new players in and so it took awhile for us to gel. We won our first game against Asia All-Stars (All Ladies Team) 3-2, it was a grind till the end while we were still figuring things out. Drew our 2nd game against Throne 2-2 where it was a real tight game. We lost our 3rd and 4th game against CMX and Kraken and that was it for Day 1.
Day 2. We started off bringing a new vibe in. Last day was last day, today was a new beginning. We had one more prelim game against Lost boys, and to secure a spot in the quarter finals we had to win this game. We were confident. It was a back and forth battle, but in the end we lost 3-2. So, then came the long wait whether or not we qualify. We kept our heads high, still believing that there is still a chance to go through. And it happened! We qualified for the 8th and final spot! We barely squeezed in.
Here's the thing about Paintball. The team that squeezes in for a final spot will really had to grind their way in. Giving them a huge boost of momentum and confidence with new beliefs. That's what happened with us! We were up against the top qualifier with new hopes and confidence. It was like a wake up call, and it was time to take whats there! We won our quarter finals in a total grind out match, leaving it to the last second to take the win. As the progressed to the semi finals, we watch our opponents carefully. Our semi final match was against CMX. A really good team that had beaten us in the prelims. But this is different, this wasn't prelims anymore. There was a new vibe in the team, new confidence that we could take them on and bring our best shot. And there it was, playing really good and tight, we defeated CMX to reach the finals!
This will be my first time playing in a finals match! It was a huge moment for me. So I had to be ready! We were up against Throne. We drew against them in the prelims. A good team with a packed roster. But we knew we were ready.
2 minutes until the Final game starts. We walked in, got gun checked and waited. 1 minute. 30 seconds. 10 seconds. This is it, the Finals! Everything I've worked on the offseason comes to this moment and I knew I had to leave all in the field. I knew, My Teammates knew. The buzzer goes off and the Finals match begins. It was a long point where we lost a close one. 0-1 to Throne. We got back to the pits. No need to panic, fill up and pod up and go kick ass.
10 seconds. The second point about to go off. The buzzer blew, we were off. Same as the first point, this point was no different. A very long point, ended up with a 2 on 2 with me and Ayie left against Throne's back center and snake player. I heard my teammates coaching me from outside. I had full confidence from them as they guided me to make a move. Once we finished off the snake player we closed in on the remaining back center, finished him off and push the buzzer. Great job! 1-1! With only 35 seconds left. The third point ended with a void because time ran out. Overtime!
10 seconds! This is it! The final point on our finals match. All I could think off was, leave everything on the field. The buzzer sounded, and we flew.
Eventually, we came up short. Losing the last point and giving the championship to Throne. Well deserved by the way. Take nothing from them, they played a heck of a game!
1st Runner Up with Waxers Legion at MPOC 1st Leg 2013!! And All Waxers Family, Beezwaxers, Waxers Legion and Hornet Waxers went to the Finals in the own Division! A great day for the Waxers Family!
Not a bad way of starting the paintball season!
Now it's time to go back home and train even harder. Fix my mistakes, learn to be better. So that the goal of being on top will be there!
This is my life, This is Paintball.

-Mastermind #07-