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| Twisted Minds PH's stunner against their "kuyas" at Onic PH highlighted Week 3 of MPL Philippines Season 16. Richard Esguerra (file photo) |
WE are now nearing the halfway point of the MPL Philippines Season 16 elimination round.
Three weeks in, we have one team beginning to pull away, another on track for a surprise early exit, and a very crumpled middle of the pack just separated by at most 1.5 matches.
With one full weekend left before the end of the first round, let's take a look at who remains strong and who's weakening further.
Imba of the Week: Aurora Philippines (4-1, 2-0 this week)
We have a bit of a change in the terms for the top and bottom teams of the week.
I will introduce a new term for the bottom team of the week.
For now, the simplified "Imba of the Week" and it's still Aurora Philippines.
For the second straight week, Aurora PH takes my Team of the Week honors for another 2-0 sweep of the weekend.
Although the ever-surprising Twisted Minds Philippines pushed them to the limit on Friday night, Aurora PH dominated TNC two nights later to remain on top of the MPL PH standings.
Anlala of the Week: Team Falcons Philippines (1-5, 0-2 this week)
And now, the new term for the "Team of the Weak".
Since I keep on seeing the word "Anlala" in the chatbox whenever we feel like someone is dragging us to the dark system in ranked matches, let's use that term.
Unfortunately, even if I renamed this section, Team Falcons Philippines stayed on the infamous side of this Game Analysis article.
While many had foreseen Onic Philippines' 2-0 sweep on Friday night, AP Bren's shocker over Falcons PH on Sunday night could actually give us an argument that it may have overshadowed everything that transpired in the PBA Draft that same evening.
Not even the return of Ferdz Fernandez kept Falcons PH from reeling, and needless to say, it's a must-win from hereon if they want to still make the playoffs.
Lason of the Week: Twisted Minds Philippines (beat Onic Philippines, 2-1)
Down went another giant to Twisted Minds Philippines this past week.
The team, made up of former members of Onic Nine Lives, slayed no less than Onic Philippines' main squad itself in their duel via a reverse sweep.
Needless to say, the former Nine Lives boys cannot be called the "B Squad" anymore
MPL Philippines Season 16 Power Rankings
8. Team Falcons Philippines (1-5)
For the second straight week, Falcons PH remains at the bottom of the standings and the power rankings.
Even if Week 4 is its designated bye week, things will just get tougher for the club as it battles its longtime rival, Team Liquid Philippines.
No one wants to end the first round of the season at 1-6 or worse, but escaping it is easier said than done when you have to take on the reigning MLBB Mid-Season Cup champ.
7. Smart Omega (2-3)
Smart Omega had its bye week this past week, but its lone clash of the weekend was a sweep by Team Liquid Philippines.
Considering that this is relatively an up-and-down season, Smart Omega, despite the stellar roster, may need to find consistency to move up from the crowded middle as high as it could.
However, with Onic PH and Aurora PH to close out the first round, it's going to be a long road for Smart Omega
6. TNC (2-3)
Simply put, TNC prevailed in a match they were expected to win on paper (AP Bren) and fell in a match where they were the anticipated underdogs (Aurora PH).
Week 4, though, is an interesting week for TNC as it battles Onic PH and the giant-slaying Twisted Minds PH.
One can speculate that TNC is expected to beat Twisted Minds PH on paper, but with the way the latter has been surprising everyone, there is actually a chance TNC could end the first round down to 2-5.
5. AP Bren (2-3)
There is a reason why I placed AP Bren higher than TNC despite going 2-3 on games this past week.
Even if AP Bren beat the bottom team right now, that is still Falcons PH, made up mostly of multi-titled players.
4. Onic Philippines (3-2)
This could have been a winnable week for Onic PH on paper, but that upset by Twisted Minds PH gotta hurt them.
Instead of tying Aurora PH at the top at 4-1, Onic PH is now part of a very tight middle, wherein another shocking result could drastically change the playoff picture.
One lesson for Onic PH after the loss to Twisted Minds PH, aside from the fact that their former developmental team is now ready for the bright lights: don't treat a "winnable" week lightly, especially since they have another pair of matches where they are the favorites: Smart Omega and TNC.
3. Team Liquid Philippines (3-2)
Although Week 3 was a bye week, Liquid PH is slowly getting the groove that gave them the MSC title.
With the win against Smart Omega, Liquid PH is building a winning streak that could easily pull them away from the clogged middle.
Up next for Liquid PH: the "Manila Clasico" of esports against Falcons PH and the first round finale against AP Bren, both winnable on paper.
2. Twisted Minds Philippines (4-2)
That huge upset against Onic PH keeps Twisted Minds PH at number two in the power rankings despite a 1-1 week and Liquid PH going 1-0.
Strength of victory matters in a power ranking just like in an actual NFL tiebreaker, so one cannot simply discard the fact that Twisted Minds PH beat Onic PH even if they lost to Aurora PH, which could have gone either way, too, since it went three games.
With TNC as its last opponent in the first round, Twisted Minds PH could actually enter the halfway point of the regular season at 5-2, already an overachievement.
1. Aurora Philippines (4-1)
Aurora PH remains on top of the power rankings thanks to a 2-0 week.
Aurora PH can keep the top spot at the end of the first round with matches against AP Bren and Smart Omega next.
However, Aurora PH cannot let its guard down, considering how AP Bren stunned Falcons PH this past week.
The views and opinions of the writer do not necessarily reflect those of Dugout Philippines.
