TNC Pro Team ML strengthened its bid for a Top 2 finish in the regular season following a dominant 2-0 sweep of Nexplay Evos in the final week of the MPL Philippines on Saturday April 9.
NXPE needed just one point in the series to formally punch its ticket to the playoffs but TNC spoiled the party with the sweep to improve to 27 points on a 9-5 win-loss record.
TNC now needs to sweep its final assignment against the already eliminated Bren Esports to secure the upper bracket spot in the playoffs while NXPE will enter a must-win match against ECHO while also hoping for a sweep victory for either Omega Esports and Blacklist International to avoid a three-way tie in 16 points at the sixth spot of the standing.
A 2-0 sweep of either of the two however will allow NXPE to secure its playoff spot.
Nexplay could have advanced to the next round if not for the stellar performance from TNC with Daniel “SDzyz” Chu on the Ling and Robee “Yasuwo” Pormecille on the gold lane Paquito leading the charge.
The two came out as their team’s one-two punch in the TNC’s one-sided 10-4 Game 1 win. A huge pick-off on Mariusz “Donut” Tan’s Clint and Emanuel “ELpizo” Candelaria’s Selena proved to be the difference in the match as it allowed TNC to secure the Luminous Lord.
Sdzyz finished with a perfect 3-0-6 KDA while Yasuwo added a 4-1-4 line.
The momentum carried over to the second game for TNC as it quickly seized control of the early and mid-game behind the fast farming and rotation from Sdzyz’s Karina.
TNC was methodical in that match as it focused on securing the objectives including an uncontested Luminous Lord at the 13-minute mark which basically sealed the deal for the Phoenix.
Ben “Benthings” Maglaque set up the pace for TNC with a perfect 2-0-5 KDA on the tank Lolita while Escalera shone on the Valentina with a 4-2-3 KDA.