RRQ Kaito dethroned ECHO after demonstrating tremendous nerves and poise in the final two games, emerging with a 3-2 championship victory in MDL Philippines Season 3 on Sunday at the Shooting Gallery Studios.
RRQ, which swept the regular season with nine consecutive victories, defeated Blacklist Rough Wave Era in the semi-finals to set up a much-anticipated title match against the champions of the past two seasons.
With ECHO reaching championship point thanks to James “Jeymz” Gloria’s MVP performance in Game 3, the defending champions looked primed for the title after scoring two pick-offs during the 16th-minute base turret siege of Game 4.
However, Cymond “Cy” Torres (Natan) responded with superb defense, gunning a clutch triple kill to complete a 5-4 exchange and stave off defeat.
He then scored another triple kill in the 18th minute that was enough to force a decider.
RRQ delved deep into their bag of tricks as they virtually outdrafted ECHO in the rubber match. They seized the upper hand from the get-go to breeze to a one-sided series-clinching victory.
On the way to the title match, ECHO first had to overcome ONIC Arsenals in the quarterfinals.
They then had to defeat the second-seeded Smart Omega Neos in the semis to arrange a title match against the undefeated RRQ Kaito.
