SIBOL MLBB Women mirrored the feat of their men’s counterparts a day earlier, ousting defending gold medalist Indonesia, 3–1, in the semifinals to secure a return trip to the finals of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Filipinas dethroned an Indonesian side riding high after back-to-back international titles, having captured championships at the Esports World Cup – Mid Season Cup last July and the IESF World Esports Championship earlier this month.
It was a statement victory for SIBOL Women, who were denied gold in the previous SEA Games after squandering a 2–1 series lead and eventually falling to Indonesia in a heartbreaking 3–2 loss in the finals.
“Parang sobrang sarap lang sa feeling (na nabawian natin sila) lalo’t galing sa winstreak yung Vitality or yung Indonesia. Sobrang proud ko sa mga players ko kasi na-execute nila kung ano yung mga pinapractice namin,” said head coach Salman “KingSalman” Macarambon of finally turning back Indonesia.
“Yung Game 1, Game 2, and yung last game, solid talaga yung disiplina nung team at yung pag-maximize nila sa lead sa game. Yung Game 3, sobrang ahead naman tayo don, mga 5-6k na gold lead ata yun,” he added.
“Yun nagyari talaga dun, kasi nga nobody’s perfect, pumitik sila nang undisciplined and nabawian naman namin. Di naman nakaapekto yung error na yun, yung talo namin nung game 3, and nakapagreset agad kami ng Game 4.”
SIBOL opened the series with a dominating Game 1 performance led by Rica “Amoree” Amores (Kimmy), who delivered a spotless 5-0-3 KDA to give the team a 1–0 series lead.
The Filipinas maintained control in Game 2, with Gwyneth “Ayanami” Diagon’s (Yu Zhong) aggressive pickoff on Viorelle “Vival” Chen (Joy) securing the 20th-minute lord objective and cementing their advantage.
Diagon’s relentless aggression continued to lift SIBOL, as she executed a crucial pickoff on Vivi “Vivian” Indrawaty (Grock) to push the Filipinas to match point with a 21-minute victory.
After conceding Game 3, Kaye “Keishi” Alpuerto (Joy) sparked the Philippines’ early game momentum by clutching the 12th-minute lord and taking control of the map.
Alpuerto delivered again during a messy 19th-minute scramble, picking off Michelle “Chell” Siswanto (Harith) from the backline, triggering a series-clinching 4–1 trade.
SIBOL will face Malaysia in the finals tomorrow at the same venue.
