Photo from ECHO |
by Drew Malihan
MANILA - Remember Billy "Z4pnu" Alfonso's remarks regarding the grupo ng balyena on TNCZ4's roster reveal video?
Turns out it's not the case this time around.
Defending MLBB Developmental League - Philippines (MDL-PH) ECHO Proud brushes off the side comment and sweep The Phoenix Army, 2-0, in their first face-off of the season on Thursday.
ECHO did not made a single change in their lineup while TNCZ4 fielded their second lineup, replacing everyone that secured them the win against Minana Archives on Wednesday.
The Orcas went all in the get-go in the first game with a rather normal meta draft with a jungle Fredrinn and Jankurt "KurtTzy" Matira's signature Pharsa pick to counter TNCZ4's draft centered around Jhonjie Paul "Jiee" Dela Rosa's Lancelot.
And all in they did as ECHO finished the game in 16 minutes with a 15-10 outing against the Phoenix Army, getting all the neutral objectives available.
It was James "Jeymz" Gloria's Lapu-lapu who get the MVP nod with five kills and seven assists, falling just one time, while Jhonville "OUTPLAYED" Villar was all fire with his Brody, scoring five and assisting seven.
TNCZ4 tried to bounce back with a gold lane Irithel for Hans "Kaihua" Virina and a Gord pocket pick for Kurt Daniel "Hao" Navarro to go against ECHO Proud's lineup capped with Justine "Zaida" Palma's Lancelot.
But it was to no avail as the men in purple dismantled the orange and black, 15 kills to just seven, with OUTPLAYED scoring three and assisting nine with the Claude, while Santi "Santi Sucre" Noble was spot on with nine assists with his name.
With the win, ECHO improved to two wins and no loss, while TNCZ4 slids down to one win and one defeat.
ECHO Proud will attempt to make it 3-0 against ONIC Arsenals on Tuesday, while TNCZ4 will try to get their momentum back against GameLab.
Follow him on X: @drew_corner