Sibol’s Men’s Wild Rift Team staged a deep comeback against Vietnam, mounting a 3-2 reverse sweep in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games Men’s Wild Rift in Cambodia on Saturday to reach the grand finals.
Earlier in the day, Sibol blanked Singapore, 3-0, to arrange an upper bracket showdown against Vietnam.
The Filipinos maintained a slim lead in Game 1 but failed to keep their composure as Vietnam scored a quadra kill during a 14th-minute skirmish to take control and clinch the win two minutes later, 2-0.
The Philippines appeared to have found their groove in Game 2 after posting an 8-2 lead on the kill score by the 9th minute, but the Vietnamese side managed to gain favorable trade-offs, culminating in a 4-1 exchange in the 18th minute to reach match point, 2-0.
The Philippine representatives found a lease of life in Game 4 after securing the Baron Nashor and forcing an extension by the 17th minute with a 4-0 wipe during a 14th-minute skirmish, 2-1.
With momentum on their side, Sibol dominated the hapless Vietnamese side, forcing a rubber match after a 15-1 annihilation on the kill score in Game 5.
The gold medal match is scheduled for tomorrow, May 7, with the Philippines awaiting the winner from the lower bracket finals.
The Sibol Wild Rift Team is led by Nigma Galaxy mainstays Golden Hart Dajao, Gerald Gianne Gelacio, Reniel Angara, Aaron Mark Bingay, Chammy Paul Nazarrea, and Justine Ritchie Tan, with head coach Van Matthew Alfonso.
