Falcons AP Bren and Fnatic Onic have advanced to the upper bracket finals in the MPL Philippines Season 14 playoffs, while Blacklist International and Aurora will compete in the lower bracket.
FCAP is edging closer to another MPL Philippines title and an M-Series ticket after defeating Blacklist International in the upper bracket semifinals.
The M5 world champions secured a 3-2 victory in the best-of-5 series, with Michael 'Kyletzy' Sayson and Angelo 'Pheww' Archangel delivering impressive performances.
Kyletzy, named match MVP, finished with 10 kills, zero deaths, and four assists.
Blacklist started strong with a 16-0 opening victory, leaving AP. Bren kill-less. Jhon “Lord JM” Sebastian was named match MVP with six kills, zero deaths, and eight assists on Arlott.
In Game 2, Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano’s Harith led AP Bren to tie the series with four kills, zero deaths, and eight assists.
Game 4 saw Pheww excel on Yve, pushing for a decisive Game 5. He ended with three kills, one death, and seven assists.
"Meron pa po sigurong ibubuga ['yung team namin], [may] kailangan lang po siguro kaming ayusin na mga error saka 'yung disiplina namin, nawawal minsan kaya kailangan naming ibalik 'yon," said Kyletzy.
Pheww, meanwhile, explained their strategy, "Hintayan lang talaga kami kung sinong lulubog at sinong unang magi-iinitiate. Nagsimula 'yung initiate nila nung pumasok sila sa left side, dahil don, na-punish namin sila kaya nagkaroon na kami ng momentum para i-take na 'yung lord."
‘Best series’ for FNOP
In Match 2, Fnatic Onic Philippines swept Aurora with a 3-0 victory.
Onic is now also one win away from the grand finals and the M6 World Championship. Borris 'Brusko' Parro’s Tigreal led the team, earning praise from Coach Anthony ‘Ynot’ Senedrin.
"I think it's probably the best series we've had in full season long. I think eto na 'yung pinakainaabangan kasi namin. And as for 'yung ceiling na pinag-uusapan before, nakita ko kanina na pataas talaga nang pataas and hopefully gano'n pa rin kasi hindi pa tapos, job is not done," said Ynot.
Onic dominated Game 1 with a 20-2 kill spread in nine minutes and 32 seconds, the fastest game of the season.
Brusko’s Gatotkaca in Game 2 set up a five-man wipeout, securing a 2-0 lead. Onic completed the sweep in Game 3 with Grant Duane "Kelra" Pillas's Harith delivering a triple kill.
Fnatic Onic and Falcons AP. Bren will compete for the grand finals seat on Friday at 3 p.m. Aurora and Blacklist International will fight to stay in the tournament at 7 p.m. on the same day.
