Being in last place for most of the regular season, Team Falcons Philippines is heading to the MPL Philippines Playoffs after all. Richard Esguerra
By Ivan Saldajeno

MAKATI--With only one match left in its regular season campaign, Team Falcons Philippines was on the verge of crashing to last place.

However, after that one match, Falcons PH earned the last ride to the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Green Birds completed what could be the most memorable late-season run in MPL Philippines history, stunning defending champion Team Liquid Philippines, 2-1, on Saturday night at the Green Sun Hotel Ballroom.

Despite the pressure coming from Alston "Sanji" Pabico playing Angela at the middle lane, Falcons PH delivered the plays that mattered, beginning with Michael "KyleTzy" Sayson taking the first two Lords that slowed things down for Liquid PH.

The endable moment came after Sayson secured the evolved Lord as he took down Jaypee Dela Cruz during the final push, and "Super Marco" Requitiano got two more, leaving Pabico and Kiel "Oheb" Soriano as the only guys who can defend the Liquid PH base against the full-force Falcons PH squad.

Falcons PH, owning the tiebreaker on a better game win difference, eliminated Smart Omega in the process despite finishing the regular season with identical 5-9 records.

Losing nine of its next 10 matches after its opening night win against Aurora Philippines, Falcons PH ended the regular season with three straight wins to pull off the "Great Escape".

Falcons PH is now assured of the sixth seed and will face whoever among Liquid PH and Onic Philippines falls to the third seed in the play-in round of the playoffs on Oct. 22 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Liquid PH, on the other hand, dropped to third place at 8-5 and must beat also-ran AP Bren on Sunday night and hope that Onic PH falls to TNC earlier in the night to secure second seed and the first-round bye.

TNC is now assured of taking on Twisted Minds Philippines in one play-in battle, but a win against Onic PH will give them the fourth seed, which means TNC has control of the drafting phase.