Nikko “Nikko” Bilacura’s crucial kill on Erin “Yopaj” Ferrer proved to be the clincher in Game Three as Execration booted out fellow Filipino squad OB Esports x Neon out of The International 10 Southeast Asia regional qualifiers via a tight 2-1 victory in the lower bracket, Friday afternoon.
With Execration attempting a siege in the middle lane, Nikko “Nikko” Bilacura (Doom) found Erin “Yopaj” Ferrer (Lina) at the back and popped the doom on him – killing the up-and-coming midlaner without enough gold to buyback.
Though Andrei “Skem” Ong (Lion) managed to get the return kill on Nikko, it was still not enough Ralph Richard “RR” Peñano (Wynter Wyvern) unleashed a three-man Winter’s Curse which eventually forced OB Neon to call GG.
Jinn “Palos” Lomatao’s Lifestealer spearheaded Execration with 12 kills and 13 assists against just two deaths in the 38-24 Game Three victory.
Meanwhile, John Anthony “Natsumi-“ Vargas’ Wraith King tallied two kills, four deaths, and 12 assists for OB Neon in the match which lasted for 55 minutes and 33 seconds.
OB Neon rose from the dead in the opener, crawling their way back to steal the once-lopsided Game One from the hands of Execration in 67 minutes and 51 seconds of game time.
After winning a clash inside the Dire jungle, OB Neon marched right to the middle lane in hopes of ending the match. Michael Roi “Enryu” Ladines (Doom), Skem (Enchantress), and Yopaj (Batrider) prevented Yuri “Yowe” Pacana’s Razor from defending while Jaunuel “Jaunuel” Arcilla’s Rubick singlehandedly fended off Nikko’s Dragon Knight as Natsumi (Juggernaut) right clicked his way to victory.
Natsumi finished with seven kills, seven deaths, and 25 assists while Jaunuel, who played a pivotal role in the comeback, ended with five kills, seven deaths, and 21 assists in the 40-43 Game One win.
Execration, unlike in Game One, held on to their early lead which prevented OB Neon from mounting another huge comeback – resulting in a 40-33 win in 45 minutes and 19 seconds.
The LuponWxC-backed squad will be going up against the winner between the BOOM Esports-Galaxy Racer match for the final slot in the lower bracket finals later in the day.
