Michael “MP the King” Endino set the tone for Twisted Minds, leading the rookie-laden squad to a stunning 2-0 upset over Team Falcons PH in their MPL Philippines Season 16 opener on Saturday at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati City.
Head coach Kristoffer “BON CHAN” Ricaplaza expressed amazement at how his rookies played like seasoned veterans in their MPL PH debut.
“Ang ine-expect ko dahil majority sa kanila ay rookie, parang magkakaron ng rookie jitters. Pero nagulat ako na sobrang tatapang nila maglaro na parang ‘mga rookie ba talaga ‘tong mga ‘to? Or baka nag-ressurect lang na dating mga players na sa multiverse na bigla na lang pumasok sa MPL,'” said BON CHAN, describing his reaction to his rookies’ performance against the powerhouse Falcons.
“Iba talaga eh. Kung ano yung ginagawa nila sa scrim, na-apply nila dito sa stage. Kung ano yung behaviour nila sa scrim, yun din ang nangyari dito sa stage,” he added.
MP the King (Lancelot) led from the front in Game 1, recording seven kills and 11 assists while giving up just one death, steering his team to a dominant 24-8 kill score.
In Game 2, Lansu delivered in the clutch, making key plays that sealed the sweep and capped off Twisted Minds’ impressive debut.
His flicker play late in the 19th minute resulted in a decisive pickoff, followed by Mico “Nosia” Guevarra’s (Moskov) Spear of Destruction, which enabled MP the King (Yi Sun Shin) to complete a series-clinching double kill for a 4-for-0 exchange.
Twisted Minds will have a brief rest before facing fellow undefeated AP.Bren tomorrow.
