RRQ Philippines made quick work of Indonesian champion Persis Esports and eked out a 3-0 victory to advance to the upper bracket semifinals of the WCS Finals playoffs on Tuesday, April 26.
The all-Filipino crew stamped its class on the Indonesian representatives as Marc Andrew “Marky” Ilagan and Keith Janold “DevilJ” Gonzales took turns in leading the attack while Eric Allen “Exosen” Gubatan provided the steady series-long presence in the lopsided sweep.
It was RRQ which drew the series’ first blood, riding the momentum it created after the three-man pick off of Persis at the 10-minute mark of Game 1 to secure the Rift Herald. The Filipinos went on a roll from there as they scored an Ace against the Indonesians powered by Marky’s triple kill on the Ziggs.
Marky wound up with a perfect 7-0-6 KDA while Exosen added a 1-2-13 line on the Gallo as RRQ took the first point of the series, 17-4.
It was almost the same story in the second game as RRQ once again took advantage of its victories in the skirmishes to seize control and further pad the lead.
A huge mid-lane clash proved to be the turning point as Persis gambled for the kill on Charles “Chazz” Esguerra’s Riven. RRQ responded and went for the counter-engage to complete a 3-for-1 kill trade.
Just like in Game 1, it was all RRQ from there as the Filipinos cruised to a 21-7 victory.
Helios ran wild on the Zed with a 7-1-7 line while Marky chipped in a 5-1-10 KDA. Exosen also continued to dictate the team fight with 1-1-17 display on Yuumi.
Sensing blood, RRQ showed no let-up in the final game as the PH bets put up a masterful Game 3 performance.
The Filipino champions quickly seized the lead and kept it from start to finish en route to a dominant 15-2 win capped by an Ace in the final clash
DevilJ top scored with a 7-0-4 KDA on the Renekton while Chaz added a 5-0-7 line on the Irelia. Exosen also had a perfect game on the Galio with a 0-0-9 line.
RRQ will next face Taiwanese team Flashwolves which also won its upper bracket quarter finals clash against play-in team Cerberus Esports, 3-2.