27/04/2026
So...I got elected...and ALMOST got a chance for a day 2 experience...
As some of you know, I play Pokemon TCG and I got elected for the biggest event in the competitive scene here in the Philippines. The Champion for this event will have an invitation for the World's Championship and everything is paid for. So...who doesn't want that experience...right? Especially me who always got rejected with almost all the small events and only gathered 5 points for this year...
And I could've played a meta deck...that might increase my chance of winning but...I don't like doing math that much while playing the game so I chose Hydrapple ex deck...a deck that not everyone will choose...
So here's my story...
1. Round 1 and I got paired with a player with a Zoroark ex. A good match up for me due to Zoroark being weak to grass. My opponent prized 3 Zoroark ex and 2 Zorua and wasn't able to set up that much. I won this round.
2. Round 2 and I got paired with another Zoroark player. I actually got nervous with this one since in his turn 2, he was able to Cyrano and search for 3 Zoroark ex. Luckily, he only just benched 2 zorua during that turn and evolved his active zorua then knocked out my active. That time, unfair stamp is already on my hand and was able to disrupt his hand, returning the other Zoroark ex in his deck and only drawing for 2 cards. I won this round.
3. Round 3 and I feel happy to be with the people in the top table as I was placed on table 13. I was paired with Team Rocket's Mewtwo/spydops box deck. I'm kind of nervous because this deck runs with almost only 1 prizer pokemons. Unfair stamp came in clutch but...I misplayed and left a damaged Hydrapple ex in the active instead of retreating it. I lost this round and started feeling down. But it's not yet over since it's my first loss and I'm trying to learn from my mistake that time.
4. Round 4 and we were given only 30 minutes for a "Lunch" break. Like...who goes searching for lunch and was only given 30 minutes? But it happened...haha. I just grabbed a bite from a vending machine that only accepts coins that time 😆. Then I was paired with a Mega Lucario player. I MISPLAYED AGAIN. Like Bro, how could you misplay that much? Active pokemon was a Cornerstone Ogerpon and the only way for me to knock it out is using a Baby Teal Mask Ogerpon...but instead of benching a Baby Teal Mask, I buddy poffin for a chikorita AND an applin! I could've Dawn for Baby teal mask, Bayleef and Meganium for a knock out, but No! 😆. And I thought I still have a Boss' Order in the deck so I could knock out Mega Lucario for a win but forgot that I used both of my Boss. So...yeah...I loss...And I'm down to having just one loss before I say goodbye for day 2. Even then I have a slim chance of going to day 2 due to having 2 losses now. But hey...I can still do this...right?
5. Round 5 and...I got REALLY nervous with this one because, while I was waiting for my opponent, I was shuffling my cards and accidentally dropped 2 of my cards. I found one immediately but cannot find the other one. I WAS SO CLOSE FROM BREAKING DOWN. I don't want to lose this round just because I was playing 1 less card! Thankfully, my opponent and the other players beside me helped me to find the other one and was able to find it before the round starts. I was paired with a Team Rocket's Honchkrow/Porygon 2 box and it was a BAD match up for me. I was ready to take a lost...but...my opponent bricked and was late to set up an attacker! I knocked down each of his attackers until he has nothing left to attack with. And with that, I won round 5.
6. Round 6 and I feel tired. And my deck decided to brick hard haha. I was against another Mega Lucario player but this time he has no Cornerstone Ogerpon in play. And what was in my hand was a single chikorita, 4 grass energy, a night stretcher, and a forest of vitality. Not a single supporter, or even an item card. I was only able to setup when my opponent was already ready to attack at any given point in time. The brick was so hard, there's no way for me to actually have a comeback. I played until the end and loss this round...losing also the chance for a day 2 experience.
I wasn't given a chance to play the last round since I already got 3 losses but I was happy and sad at the same time. Happy because looking back from my very first tournament, I can only get one to no wins at all. Now, I'm always placed somewhere in the middle. Sad because...I got the same experience as last year's MBL. Like...nothing really improved. I wasn't able to take pictures with the people I play casually because...I wanted to escape that tournament so much. I keep telling myself "hey, there's still a chance next year" but still...it's hard to cheer myself up.
No day 2 for me...but overall...I still had fun with hydrapple ex! And...who knows right? I might still play it to some small tournaments next season!
or...should I return to the DARK side? or...maybe play some SHURIKENS?
