Sibol ML concluded their group stage assignments with an effortless 2-0 sweep of host Saudi Arabia, securing the top spot in Group B as they head into the upper bracket semi-finals of the IESF World Esports Championship 2023 – Asia & Oceania Qualifier in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
They will face off against SEA Games bronze medalist Cambodia in the upper bracket semi-final match, who unexpectedly suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of non-MPL region Mongolia.
In their match against Saudi Arabia, Marco Stephen “SUPER MARCO” Requitano (Claude) showcased his power by securing a double kill during a 9th-minute bottom lane skirmish, helping Sibol achieve a clean 5-0 victory and secure the first lord of the match.
They wasted no time and used an 11th-minute base turret siege to claim the first game, taking a 1-0 lead.
Despite Saudi Arabia managing to keep the early game close in Game 2 and scoring their own pick offs, Kyle Angelo “KyleTzy” Sayson (Ling) took matters into his own hands. He secured two kills during a lengthy teamfight early in the 9th minute, turning a 3-5 kill deficit into a 7-5 lead.
Sayson continued to contribute with kills or assists in Sibol’s next nine enemy takedowns, leading the team to a 2-0 series victory by the 18th minute.
With all four playoff teams already guaranteed a spot in the IESF World Esports Championship 2023 in Romania, Sibol will now strive for glory and placement in the double-elimination playoff round.
