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| Screencap from Mobile Legends Esports |
by Drew Malihan
MANILA - If there is one match in the M5 World Championship that all fans are looking forward for weeks, the matchup between Indonesia's champions ONIC Esports and Philippine champions AP.Bren comes into their minds, with the series going the distance.
However, it was the exact opposite in favor of the yellow hedgehogs in the most dominant way possible.
ONIC ID turned the Rizal Memorial Coliseum into silence as they sweep the Filipino side, three games to none, to book their seat in the Grand Finals.
Nicky "Kiboy" Fernando's game-winning Tigreal set proved to be the catalyst for the hedgehogs, with a two-man set to Marco "Super Marco" Requitiano's Clint and David "FlapTzy" Canon's Khaleed, prompting Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol to clean the house and give ONIC the lead.
AP.Bren's capped by Kyle "KyleTzy" Sayson's 3/1/12 performance on the Guinevere, lead by as much as 13 kills to none and as much as 15 thousand in gold before Kiboy's game-winner.
It all went downhill from the Bees as ONIC overwhelmed AP.Bren to get a comfortable 2-0 lead with Kiboy's 2/1/8 on the Grock getting the MVP nod once more.
Angelo "Pheww" Arcangel's Odette pocket pick didn't work for AP.Bren, going down three times while securing the lone kill for the team in under 12 minutes, while Gilang "SANZ" has a perfect 2/0/8 game with the Novaria.
Kairi's Nolan, who was present in all three games, became the hero of Game 3 as he grabbed six kills and three assists in a 15-3 domination, including all three turtles and the lone lord of the 12-minute match.
SANZ's Gusion was also big in the match, with the surprise pick getting five kills ans three assists while Super Marco's Bruno had a hard Game 3 with 0/3/1 in his name.
With the win, ONIC ID will advance to the Grand Finals of M5, the first Indonesian team to do so in the M-Series since EVOS Legends won M1 in an all-Indonesian final against RRQ Hoshi.
The yellow hedgehogs are also one series win away from a perfect season after bagging MPL Indonesia Seasons 11 and 12 as well as MSC 2023.
AP.Bren meanwhile will figure out in an all-Filipino lower bracket finals against rivals Blacklist International, with the winner to face the Indonesian organization in the best-of-seven series on Sunday.
Follow him on X: @drew_corner
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