MPL PH: Blacklist International, AP.Bren send ECHO and RSG Philippines to lower bracket

MANILA, Philippines – Blacklist International and AP.Bren are one win away from heading back to the world stage as they defeated ECHO and RSG Philippines, 3-1 and 3-2, respectively, to proceed to the upper bracket finals of the Mobile Legends Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 12.

Blacklist International's Diggie pick set the matchup, with ECHO unable to stop the agents from securing Game 1. The defending champions were able to equalize in Game 2 thanks to Alston "Sanji" Pabico's heroics with the hero Kadita.

But ECHO’s impatience seemed to be their downfall as their lead in Game 3 was neutralized due to their aggressive push to secure kills, and in Game Four when ECHO overextended at the Blacklist base only to see four players get taken down to give the agents the advantage to take the match, 3-1.

In the match-up of RSG Philippines and AP.Bren, the raiders seemed to be the favorite as they dominated Game 1 and led most of Game 2. But AP.Bren turned the tide by getting key pick-offs on the side of RSG Philippines to equalize, 1-1.

A technical issue during the draft prolonged the night for the two teams, with AP.Bren securing Game 3 only for RSG Philippines to answer back with aggression in Game Four to force a decider.

In the end it would be AP.Bren who dominated Game 5, denying RSG Philippines any mechanical objectives to secure their slot in the upper bracket finals, 3-2.

The MPL Philippines Season 12 playoffs continue Friday, October 27, with the upper bracket finals clash between Blacklist International and AP.Bren at 2 p.m. and a duel between ECHO and RSG Philippines to avoid elimination at 6 p.m.