Laus Playbook Esports completed its Cinderella run as it shot down ArkAngel, 2-1, in the thrilling final match of the MPL Philippines Season 7 Main Qualifiers and snagged the last seat in the league proper on Sunday night.
Arvs' Luo Yi emerged as the hero in the deciding Game 3, enabling the Eagles to prevail in crucial team fights and eventually soar to the main draw of Moonton's professional league.
LPE followed in the footsteps of first qualifier Work Auster Force and completed the Season 7 cast featuring M2 and MPL PH king Bren Esports, Smart Omega, Execration, Onic PH, Aura PH, Blacklist International, Nexplay Solid and Cignal Ultra.
Guided by former ArkAngel champion coach Brian "Panda" Lim, the Laus Auto Group-backed squad cruised to an fiery lower bracket run, beating ULVL, Empire Monarch and Season 1 winner Aether Main on its way to the big stage.
It was a painful déjà vu for the Season 3-winning organization ArkAngel, which once again fell a win short of making a comeback to the league.
AA suffered the same fate in the MPL Season 6 qualifiers as it failed to make a return for the third straight time.
ArkAngel actually drew first blood with a 13-5 romp behind Fall's Lapu-Lapu but LPE was quick to equalize as JAKE THE DOG's Wanwan carried his team to an 18-8 stomp in Game 2.
LPE got off to a strong start in the decisive game with Arvs' Luo Yi dishing out magic burst in clashes while Aspect's Hayabusa and JAKE THE DOG's Claude provided the physical damage.
AA showed signs of life with a teamfight victory in the 10th minute but LPE retaliated, taking a 2-for-1 exchange that led to a Lord kill before closing out the 16-13 triumph with a four-man wipe.
