MOM used the saga on the back face
An EX-based deck is not only viable but often a popular 'meta' pick, because their strengths can beat down the opponent before their Pokmon cards can get revenge
Since Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might will almost always be played in a burn deck, hitting the threshold to deal four or more noncombat damage is trivial to accomplish to get the front-side back.
While I'd love to try some Elder Gargaroth in the board as a change of pace threat, as you saw in these games the Elves deck is both explosive as well as surprisingly resilient, and definitely not getting the attention it deserves!
It's in my Underused Hall of Fame
To use the channel ability on Otawara, Soaring City it must be discarded, meaning put from your hand onto the stack until it resolves, then to the graveyard