A possible sneak peek of the MPL S13 finals, and maybe even the Mid Season Cup finals as well.
AP.Bren and ECHO, the two titans of Philippine Mobile Legends, clashed last weekend to see who stays undefeated in the MPL S13. It was a championship-caliber match befitting two world championship teams and the level of play we’ve all come to expect from the strongest Mobile Legends region in the world.
Despite being both undefeated, ECHO entered as the underdogs as they’ve already suffered one game loss to RSG Philippines. AP.Bren on the other hand was keeping up the momentum from winning Games of the Future. The Hive came into week three with a spotless record and looked like an unstoppable force of nature.
Game one was looking very good for ECHO as they were able to match AP.Bren’s signature early-game aggression. However, the Orcas were unable to leverage that lead into a win as AP.Bren had them beat in the most crucial teamfights, eventually squeezing them out completely.
The second game was looking to be even more exciting as AP.Bren’s Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel brought out Luo Yi. The oriental mage hasn’t been seen since week 1 but her ability to teleport her entire team across the map brought a new angle to AP.Bren’s offense. Unfortunately, all it took was one misplaced teleport followed by a catastrophic teamfight for ECHO to take game two.
It was standard fare for the deciding game that would determine if either AP.Bren or ECHO would stay undefeated in MPL S13. But, after being handed their first game loss for the season, something turned on in AP.Bren. They blew out ECHO with a 15-4 kill score in one of the fastest games of the season, reminding everyone why they’re the current world champions in dominant fashion.
Getting ready for round two
In the post match interview with the media, ECHO’s coach Harold “Tictac” Reyes that he’s happy overall with the team’s performance despite the loss. “Sobrang ganda ng performance ng ECHO… kami ang unang nakatalo [kay AP.Bren], pero unfortunately hindi sa series. Sobrang saya ko na kaya namin lumaban against the world champions.”
ECHO’s Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno echoed the sentiment, saying “masaya ako na sobrang ganda ng laban. Feel ko wala naman masyadong mali ginawa namin, mas-solid lang talaga sila.” About his own performance, he said that “satisfied din ako kahit naka isa lang kami kasi parang sa buong game hindi nila naco-control at laging dominating sila sa mga laban nila. Sobrang taas pa ng tingin ko sa kanila tapos naka isa pa rin kami… Tingnan natin next round.”
Banner photo by MOONTON Games.
Related Stories:
AP. Bren’s FlapTzy’s Thoughts Coming into a New Season as a World Champion
ECHO’s KarlTzy on Refocusing and Preparing for the MPL PH S13
Coach Trebor on Coaching Two Championship Teams