Reigning IESF world champion AP.Bren and M4 world champion Echo have arranged an upper bracket finals match-up to dispute the first ticket to the grand finals of the MPL Invitational 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The defending MPL Philippines champion breezed through the group stage and swept RSG Philippines, 2-0, in the upper bracket to ensure a top-three finish.
Echo, on the other hand, had to survive a tough three-game thriller over Malaysian champions Home Bois, 2-1, to force an all-Filipino upper bracket finals encounter.
Both AP.Bren and Echo are now assured of at least a top-three finish.
RSG will fight for dear life in the lower bracket as they face Cambodia’s See You Soon, who is parading former MPL Philippines players Michael “MP the King” Endino and Clarense “Kousei” Camilo.
Blacklist International also moved on to the lower bracket quarterfinals after eliminating the last Indonesian team in the tournament, Rebellion Zion, via a 2-0 sweep. They will next face Home Bois, who dominated them in the group stage.
This marks the first time for a non-Indonesian team to win the MPLI title. Defending champion Onic Esports decided to skip the tournament.
