 |
| Onic Philippines kept its title defense alive after avoiding a reverse sweep by Twisted Minds Philippines. MPL Philippines |
MANILA--Onic Philippines and Team Falcons Philippines needed to go the full length of their respective best-of-five first-round series before securing the last two seats in the upper bracket of the MPL Philippines Season 15 Playoffs at the start of the postseason on Wednesday night at the Green Sun Hotel Ballroom in Makati.
Onic PH first booked a place in the Final 4 after averting a reverse sweep attempt from Twisted Minds Philippines in the first match.
With its title defense suddenly in peril after Twisted Minds PH canceled its 0-2 deficit to force Game 5, Onic PH took advantage of a huge mistake from Michael "MP The King" Endino early into the deciding game and made quick work of Twisted Minds PH to finally close out the series.
On the other hand, Falcons PH bucked off a surprise Franco pick from Tristan "Yawi" Cabrera in Game 5 to eliminate TNC.
Cabrera's Franco instantly became a thorn to Falcons PH early on as TNC raced to a 6-3 kill lead in the decider, even as Frederic "Bennyqt" Gonzales quickly heated up as well, using Wanwan.
However, a masterful play from Angelo "Pheww" Arcangel as Luo Yi set up Falcons PH's mid to late game attack to overcome TNC's gallant stand.
Onic PH takes on Aurora, while Falcons PH renews its longtime rivalry with Team Liquid Philippines in the upper bracket semifinals on Thursday night back at the Green Sun Hotel Ballroom.
Despite the elimination, it was still a solid season for Twisted Minds PH, which made the playoffs in only its first season in MPL PH, and TNC, which made a return to the postseason for the first time in three years.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
.jpg)
