By: Jerod Orcullo
AP.Bren secured its first win of MPL Philippines Season 15 on Day 1 of Week 4 with a dominant 2-0 sweep against Smart Omega, Friday at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati.
The reigning MDL champions displayed a combination of patience and timely in-game decisions as Smart Omega played right into their game plan throughout the series.
“Nagawa lang namin yung mga dapat naming gawin siguro, yung mga keys to victory talaga namin. Kung ano yung napag-usapan namin, inexecute lang namin, yung mga napag-praktisan, lahat ng napag-usapan. Siguro yun yung pinakamalaking adjustment namin kaya nakuha namin yung panalo,” shared Ronnel “Cjay” Espinosa in the team’s post-game interview.
The first game of the series demonstrated AP.Bren’s dominance, as they finished the match in just 20 minutes and 27 seconds while surrendering only one elimination compared to their 12.
In the second game, Smart Omega seemed poised to extend the series, holding an early advantage and taking down all of AP.Bren’s outer turrets by the 10:42 mark.
However, the 13-minute Lord fight became the momentum shift AP.Bren needed. After securing the Lord, Jan “Shizou” Valdez shredded through Smart Omega, recording a triple kill in the process.
Shizou’s heroics earned him game MVP honors, as he registered five kills and three assists without dying once.
AP.Bren will return to action against the third-seeded Team Falcons this Saturday at 7:30 PM at the same venue.
Before that matchup, Smart Omega will aim to secure its second win as it faces the defending MPL PH champions, ONIC Philippines.
