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| Execration needed only 24 minutes to eliminate Team Aster Aries. |
PASAY—A Filipino team will surely lift the Asia-Pacific Predator League championship shield in its homecourt as Blacklist Rivalry and Execration set up an all-Filipino finale in the tournament's DOTA 2 event after winning their semifinal matches on Saturday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Execration first secured its place by ripping Team Aster Aries in just 24 minutes of play.
Midlaner Bob Urbina, playing as Ember Spirit, set up Execration's early dominance after going 11-0 just 19 minutes in.
Although Urbina's streak was eventually snapped by Peng Ou's Troll Warlord, Tino Grimaldo, Mark Redira, and stand-in Edrian Sandigan continued Execration's domination in hero kills, and Aster Aries conceded just as Execration was razing the buildings at the top lane.
Meanwhile, Blacklist Rivalry turned back IHC Esports after just under 30 minutes.
Hard carry Marc Fausto's Lone Druid was just too much for IHC, and Blacklist quickly built a 23-2 lead just 16 minutes into the action.
IHC thought they could pull a comeback as their hard carry player, Altanginj Bilguun, began picking steam through his farming as Broodmother after he was dominated by offlaner Kim Santos' Doom in the laning phase.
However, Santos, now leading Blacklist's endgame charge, pressured IHC at the top lane, and Bilguun was killed once more, forcing IHC to call it a night.
Aster Aries and IHC will take home US$7,500 each for the semifinal finish.
On the other hand, Blacklist and Execration will clash in a best-of-three championship series on Sunday night for US$65,000, although the runner-up will still take home US$20,000.
Team Secret enters Valorant finals
On the other hand, Team Secret clinched a spot in the championship round in the Valorant event after beating Team Flash, 13-4, in their semifinal encounter.
Team Secret showed why they remain the top Southeast Asian team in Valorant after racing to a 12-2 lead, putting them at match point.
Team Flash tried to mount a comeback after winning two straight rounds, but Team Secret recovered in the 17th game to clinch the tie.
Team Secret will face FAV Gaming, 13-7 winner over Boom Esports in the first semifinal, in the finals also on Sunday night.
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