RSG Slate Philippines sent the reigning world champions Echo crashing by handing them their first season loss, 2-0, in Week 4 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 11 on Sunday.
RSG closed out the first half of the season with a 5-2 win-loss card to solidify their grip on the third spot with 14pts. Echo (6-1) settled for second with 16pts, while Bren Esports (6-1) took the top spot with 18pts.
Visibly frustrated despite his boys’ 2-1 victory over Nexplay Evos a day prior, RSG head coach Brian “Panda” Lim looked happy with his team’s performance against the erstwhile-undefeated Echo.
“Yesterday was full of poor communication and execution and also map reading. Today, execution, check. Communication, check. The energy and the focus was also there,” he said.
“Not only because we [won over] Echo but siguro today was our best performance sa MPL. And I’m looking forward to growing more.”
RSG opened the series with vindication, leaning on Nathanael “Nathzz” Estrologo’s (Paquito) pesky backline initiations to control the first lord dance en route to a 3-0 pick-off and a strong command of the map.
Eman “EMANN” Sangco (Melissa) then scored a double kill during the 16th-minute base turret invasion that resulted in a 3-1 tradeoff to easily take the opener, 1-0.
RSG continued to pressure Echo on all lanes in Game 2, posting a 15-4 kill spread by the 14th minute but Echo showed poise and heart in extending the game deep into late game.
RSG ventured into dangerous waters when Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales (Melissa) scored a double kill in the 21st minute. But with the evolved lord on their side, Nathzz (Lapu-Lapu) picked off the enemy goldlaner then EMANN (Brody) provided the backline attack to complete a 3-2 trade-off.
John Paul “H2wo” Salonga (Lancelot) then weaved his way through the enemy base turret in the ensuing sequence to finally take the series.
