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| Edferdz "Ferdz" Fernandez got a start for Team Falcons Philippines right on opening night. MPL Philippines |
MANILA—Team Falcons Philippines pulled off an early surprise in MPL Philippines Season 16 as Edferdz "Ferdz" Fernandez was activated in its 2-0 sweep of Aurora Gaming Philippines in the nightcap of Day 1 festivities on Friday night at the Green Sun Hotel Ballroom in Makati.
Known for using damage dealers in the EXP lane, Fernandez got what he wanted right in Game 1 as he quickly chose Cici, and he contributed right in the first turtle fight as his sacrifice led to Michael "KyleTzy" Sayson getting a double kill as Joy and the turtle as well.
However, Aurora PH, now bolstered by Dylan "Light" Catipon, got four kills in the second turtle fight to establish an early 2,000-gold lead.
Aurora PH eventually raised its lead to around 10,200 golds even as they also took down all the turrets, leaving only the base to defend for Falcons PH.
Despite that, Marco "Super Marco" Requitiano's Moskov was already buffed enough to successfully complete the defense.
Fernandez then turned things around by scoring two kills during the third Lord fight as Falcons PH eventually got the Lord to spark the comeback.
The end came at the fourth Lord fight when Falcons PH wiped out Aurora PH to seal the Game 1 comeback.
Fernandez then sizzled in the mid-game in Game 2 as he once again used Cici this time with ease en route to a more dominating Falcons PH game win.
Falcons PH made a quick jump to the top of the MPL Philippines standings, although the team will quickly stake that on Saturday night against new-look Twisted Minds Philippines, now featuring the core of Onic Nine Lives.
