Photo from MPL Philippines |
by Drew Malihan
MAKATI - Win streak over for one, playoffs secured for the other.
ECHO's legendary 11-game win streak is now over as RSG Philippines even their regular season tie in a 2-0 sweep to end their MPL Philippines Season 12 Week 5 campaign on a high note Sunday.
RSG made a payback against the Orcas after they were beaten two games to one last September 17 with Karl Gabriel "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno in the helm.
It was a different story in Game 1 as the Raiders executed a 25-minute fire against fire battle with 17 kills to 16, with Dylan "Light" Catipon's Kaja getting the MVP nod with three kills and 10 assists to his name.
John Darry "Irrad" Tuason's Baxia made significant plays during the mid to late game, getting three turtles compared to KarlTzy's Fredrinn who only secured one.
Nathanael "Nathzz" Estrologo's Terizla proved to be the difference-maker with him making Sanford "Sanford" Vinuya's Yu Zhong life hard, including the last clash where he was caught in a three-man Pnalty Zone to secure the first game.
The Raiders kept their momentum in the second game with a 12-6 outing, with Irrad's Fredrinn getting the MVP nod with five kills and four assists, while only falling once.
Sanford was once more RSG's main target as his Yu Zhong was taken down five times, including two crucial deaths in the latter parts of the game when ECHO was defending their base in the 17th and 18th minute.
With Sanford as well as KarlTzy down the count in the 18th, the Raiders called GGs and put an end on the series with Eman "EMANN" Sangco going for the kill and the tower.
With the win, RSG jumps to solo third place with seven wins and five losses, securing themselves another playoff spot, while ECHO conceded their first loss of the season but maintaining a comfortable top 1 placement with 29 points.
RSG PH will now try to bid for an upper bracket slot when they will go against Smart Omega, while ECHO will try to redeem themselves up against Minana EVOS on Friday.
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