E-sports

The MPL PH S12 Playoffs: Who Will Reign Supreme? 

By Ramon Domingo - October 24, 2023
We may have two M5 representatives but only one can be crowned the MPL PH champion.

The MPL PH S12 playoffs are here and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The six best Mobile Legends teams in the Philippines will clash, not only for the title of MPL PH champion but to see who gets the honor of representing the country in the biggest international tournaments left in the year. This is all taking place at the EVM Convention Center in Quezon City, starting October 25.

Are you ready?

The MPL PH S12 Playoffs: Who Will Reign Supreme? 
(Image from MPL PH)

For starters, the top four teams will qualify for the One Esports MPL Invitational happening in Jakarta, Indonesia this November. The MPLI expands its borders this year by bringing in teams beyond Southeast Asia to truly amp up the competition. 

The real prizes, however, are the two spots to the M5 World Championships going to the grand finals teams. This year’s M5 is happening here in the Philippines later this December and you can be sure that every team is hungry for the chance to represent the country.

The Playoffs Teams

Starting off the playoffs is ONIC Philippines versus Blacklist International. ONIC had a tumultuous season but once they solidified their main lineup, their 10-man roster started making sense. Hopefully, the team has had enough time to synergize for the playoffs.

Blacklist, on the other hand, has proved that they’re still a championship-caliber team even without the VeeWise duo. While lacking polish, Blacklist has the potential to take wins over any of the playoff teams. Special mention goes to Renejay Barcase for picking up the slack left by Jonmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna in the Roamer position.

The MPL PH S12 Playoffs: Who Will Reign Supreme? 
Blacklist International. (Photo from Moonton Games)

Next is RSG Philippines versus Omega Esports. RSG has always been a solid team but has struggled to find the same success they had back in 2022. With Mid Laner Arvie “Aqua” Antonio back in the team, they’re looking to make their first-ever M5 appearance.

Omega are coming in as underdogs but one that has bite behind their bark. Joshua “Ch4knu” Mangilog and Patrick “E2MAX” Caidic have proven to be stabilizing forces in a rather shaky team and will need to pull out all the stops to lead Omega to victory.

That leaves the top dogs of the MPL PH S12 playoffs, ECHO and AP.Bren. The gold-medal-winning SIBOL national esports team needs no further introductions, but AP.Bren’s lackluster season puts their chances into question. Time will tell if the team has enough gas left in them to make it all the way to M5.

ECHO on the other hand has looked nothing less than dominant. They may have stumbled in their last few games of the season but their 11-3 match record speaks for itself. ECHO is looking beyond the playoffs and is ready to defend their World Champions title right here on home soil.

Banner photo from Moonton Games.


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