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| AP Bren prevailed in a game of comebacks against Smart Omega. Richard Esguerra |
PUERTO PRINCESA--AP Bren survived a battle of late-game brilliance to beat Smart Omega, 2-1, in their MPL Philippines Season 16 battle on Saturday at the Green Sun Hotel Ballroom in Makati.
AP Bren drew first blood in come-from-behind fashion, overturning a 5-12 kill deficit and an 8,300-gold disadvantage thanks to a solid defensive stance from Arvie "Aqua" Antonio and Denniel "XNova" Gomez.
AP Bren completed the Game 1 comeback by securing the evolved Lord in the 25th minute and taking four kills up to the eventual game-ending push.
Game 2 seemed to be heading to AP Bren dominantly after it pummeled Smart Omega in the early game behind a two-tank combination of Gomez's Gatotkaca and James "Jamespangks" Mendoza's Uranus, with Antonio's Angela providing the backup.
However, an overcommitment in the Lord fight cost AP Bren the sweep as Dean "Raizen" Sumagui sneaked into the team's base and completed the backdoor push to steal Game 2 for Smart Omega.
Game 3 had Smart Omega on another early-game domination, going 11-3 on kills with a 9,200-gold lead, but "Lord JM" Sebastian sparked AP Bren's comeback by stealing the Lord.
In the ensuing push, AP Bren won a 4-for-1 clash exchange and completed the push at the top lane.
With no choice but to give up the next Lord, Smart Omega had to play defense, and AP Bren capitalized by taking a 3-1 clash win to complete the comeback.
AP Bren is now tied with TNC at 3-5, while Smart Omega dropped to 3-6.
