Team Liquid PH outlasted AP Bren in a tough Game 2 encounter to complete 2-0 for a piece of the top spot in the MPL Philippines Season 15, Saturday night at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati City.
After back-to-back wins in the first week, Team Liquid PH secured its third consecutive victory for a 3-0 start in the tournament. They are now tied with Aurora at the number one spot with identical records.
Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya set the pace in Game 1, controlling the early game with his Hilda and putting his experience on full display against the league’s young talents. Team Liquid dominated throughout, but AP Bren did just enough during their defense to try and fend off a siege.
Unfortunately, Alston “Sanji” Pabico (Luo Yi) initiated a signature Diversion play from Team Liquid, transporting them inside AP Bren’s base, where they got a pickoff before eventually taking a 1-0 lead after almost 15 minutes of action.
Sanford registered five kills and four assists without a single death, while Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno’s Suyou tallied seven kills and seven assists against just one death in the 21-7 Game 1 win.
Team Liquid once again dominated early in Game 2, but Jefferdson “kkd0t” Mogol (Gatotkaca) kept AP Bren in the game with an impressive catch off three Team Liquid heroes for a five-man wipe entering the 9th minute.
AP Bren eventually took the next two Lords, but Team Liquid got the upper hand in the objective fight with a three-for-one exchange at the 13th minute, preventing a siege from the former.
Just like what happened a few plays back, AP Bren secured the Lord during the 17th minute. However, Team Liquid scored a four-man wipe en route to the close 15-12 Game 2 win, completing the sweep.
“Nabigla kami sa play style nila na sama sama. Ang tapang nilang maglaro kaya feeling ko, habang tumatagal mas lalakas pa sila. Nice game, galingan niyo pa,” said Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno after the win.
Sanford had four kills and six assists against one death on Lucas, while Kiel “OHEB” Soriano finished with four kills, two deaths, and four assists on Irithel.
Team Liquid looks to sustain its fine start when it takes on Smart Omega tomorrow, 7:30 PM at the same venue.
On the other hand, the new-look AP Bren fell to 0-3 to start Season 15.
AP Bren takes on fellow winless squad Twisted Minds on Saturday at 2:30 PM.
