ECHO survived a tough early encounter against Smart Omega, 2-0, to barge back into the win column in Week 5 of the MPL Philippines Season 13 on Friday at the Shooting Gallery Studios.
With the win, the M4 world champions snapped a two-game slide to improve to a 6-3 record with 16 points.
ECHO head coach Archie “Tictac” Reyes lauded Omega for an impressive performance and cited his team’s experience and discipline, which spelled their victory in a close two-game series.
“Ang ganda ng pinakita nila (Omega) at ang dami nilang pinakitang kakaiba tulad ng Chip, so unexpected din ‘yun. Tingin ko, nag-improve din sila nang napasok ‘yung dalawa (U K I R and Andoryu),” Tictac said of Omega.
“Dun sa Game 2, naging edge sa dulo ‘yung mental fortitude ng team. ‘Di ba nagsi-siege ‘yung Omega? Alam nila (ECHO) kung ano ‘yung gagawin dun, kaya nabaliktad ‘yung laban.”
Game 1 boiled down to a 22nd-minute sequence where Alston “Sanji” Pabico (Lou Yi) called for a decisive Diversion play in the bottom lane that caught Omega off guard for a 3-1 ambush.
That was enough for the Orcas to force a base turret siege in the ensuing play, finally completing the wipeout and securing the opening victory, 1-0.
In Game 2, ECHO displayed impeccable base turret defense highlighted by Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno’s (Nolan) Maniac killing streak to secure a 5-1 wipeout and take the series.
Omega, on the other hand, suffered their eighth loss in nine matches, remaining a distant seventh with four points.
ECHO will next face RSG Philippines on Sunday, April 21.
