RRQ Hoshi slammed the door on the all-Filipino final hopes in MSC 2022 as it took down RSG Philippines, 3-1, in the upper bracket finals at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, June 18.
Rivaldi “R7” Fatah proved to be the biggest thorn to the side of the Filipinos as he spearheaded the attack for RRQ with signature Dyrroth, Thamuz and Esmeralda picks in the three victories to notch their first finals appearance in the international stage since M1.
The Indonesian champions were quick to assert their might as they took a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five affair courtesy of an 18-14 victory in the series opener and a 20-11 domination in the second game.
On verge of defeat, RSG came alive in Game 4 as Eman “Emann” Sangco stepped up and was untouchable on his Clint to finish with an 8-1-10 line while Jhonard “Demonkite” Caranto prevailed in his jungle matchup against Albert “Alberttt” Iskandar for the first time in the series with a 8-1-9 KDA on the jungle Karina to score the first point of the series after a 21-5 Game 3 win.
RRQ however was quick to cut off RSG’s celebration in Game 4 as R7 took the spotlight anew, holding the fort against three Filipino players during crucial team fights. With the veteran EXP lane providing the disruption on RSG’s lines, Skylar safely dished out the damage with timely Blazing duet ultimate on his Claude.
RRQ secured the second Luminous Lord of the match as it put on the finishing touches in the final siege to take an 18-11 triumph to advance to the final round of the tournament.
R7 had a 5-4-5 line on the Thamuz in the series clincher while Skylar added a 5-1-8 line.
RSG still has the chance to book a trip to the finals but it has to win against the winner between Omega Esports and Falcon Esports in the lower bracket semis. Should Omega wins, the lower bracket finals will feature an all-Filipino clash with the winner getting the right to challenge RRQ in the finale.