Omega Esports survived a nail-biter Game Two to punch its ticket to the playoffs. It also eliminates defending champion Blacklist International, 2-0, in the MPL Philippines Season Nine on Saturday night.
The SMART-backed squad climbed up to the fifth spot with 18 points through a 6-9 slate. Omega Esports’ win also meant that Nexplay EVOS, who is currently at the sixth spot with 15 points and a 5-8 record, has officially made it to the playoffs.
Blacklist International put up an almost 8K gold advantage in Game One after securing the second Luminous Lord of the contest. The team also wiped all but two of Omega Esports’ turrets, which put them in a really great position to take the win.
Unfortunately for the Tier One-backed squad – which needs every point they can squeeze out of this game – Kent “Kevier” Lopez’s Ling was picked off by Joshua “Ch4knu” Mangilog (Lolita) Duane “Kelra” Pillas (Brody), and Dean “Raizen” Sumagui (Karina), entering the 17th minute.
That proved to be the key to Omega Esports’ comeback. They bagged the next Luminous Lord for the game-winning siege.
Ch4knu starred in the win with nine assists along with a kill and two deaths. Meanwhile, Kelra added four kills and three assists against one death in the 16-11 Game One win in 18 minutes and six seconds.
Omega Esports then survived a tough stand from Blacklist International in Game Two, 19-13, to seal its playoff ticket.
Entering the 30th minute of the contest, Renz “Renzio” Cadua (Masha) kick-started the clash. They caught Kiel “OHEB” Soriano (Popol and Kupa), who was at the time clearing the middle lane. Ch4knu (Chou) then went from behind, using his Way of the Dragon on Salic “Hadji” Imam’s Yve. That resulted in a four-man wipe.
Omega then erased Edward “Edward” Dapadap’s Benedetta to nail the win in 29 minutes and 41 seconds.|
E2MAX’s Xavier finished with seven kills and six assists against four deaths. Renzio had three kills, two deaths, and eight assists to lead Omega Esports.
Blacklist International, MPL Philippines’ back-to-back defending champions, will miss the playoffs for the first time since joining the league back in Season Five.
