MINANA Evos clinched their sixth win in their final regular-season match, completing a 2-1 reverse sweep against Smart Omega in the last week of MPL Philippines Season 13 on Sunday at the Shooting Gallery Studios.
The White Tigers concluded with a 6-8 record and are set to face Blacklist International in a do-or-die match to kick off the playoffs.
MINANA debuted rookie jungler Kyle Shawn “Koyl” Reyes, which, according to coach Kurt William “Super Kurt” Recto, serves as a warning for the playoffs.
“Mas pinaghandaan talaga namin ang Omega kasi alam ng lahat na gumagamit kami ng iba’t ibang players. Pero lahat naman ng players na sinasalpak namin is pwede talaga. Tsaka may ilalabas talaga kaming maraming strat at rotations, hindi lang puro utility,” he explained.
“Sa dami ng players namin, magagamit namin sila para sa iba’t ibang strategy na pwedeng ilabas pang-sorpresa para sa playoffs.”
Game 1 was a closely contested affair until Jomari “Jowm” Pingol (Claude) secured a triple kill early in the 9th minute, aiding Omega in establishing a 3k net worth lead.
Later, Nowee “Ryota” Macasa (Arlott) executed a two-man Final Slash set-up in the 11th minute, resulting in a game-winning 2-0 pick-off as Omega took a 1-0 lead.
Despite Omega’s early dominance, Game 2 witnessed a turnaround when Oscar “Sumpak” Romero (Roger) scored a double kill during the inhibitor defense, reducing the deficit to 3k.
MINANA maintained control for the remainder of the match, led by John “Perkz” Sumawan’s (Chou) initiations, ultimately securing the equalizer with a 17-minute victory.
In Game 3, MINANA Evos emerged victorious after a nearly 30-minute showdown in the late game.
Rookie Jann Kirk “Kirk” Gutierrez sealed the deal in the deciding match, earning the game MVP with his 2-1-14 KDA in the closeout victory.
