RSG Philippines finally shook off the rust and regained its winning form, sweeping TNC Pro Team ML, 2-0, to pick up its first victory in the MPL Philippines Season 10 at the ICite Auditorium in Libis, Quezon City on Friday, Aug. 19.
After opening their title retention bid with twin losses in the opening week, RSG PH returned to its usual self and dictated the tempo for the most part of the series to improve to a 1-2 record while keeping the suddenly struggling TNC winless through three games.
The Raiders steadily built their lead in the opening game of the series as they secured almost every major objective in the contest. The MSC champions showed superb control during team fights while also putting pressure and keeping Daniel “SDzyz” Chu’s Hayabusa pick in check.
TNC, though, tried to stall the game to the late game in hopes to turn things around with one clash and nab the victory, but the composure showed by the defending champs paid dividends as a huge counter engage on the Phoenix’s attempt to contest RSG’s final Lord take turned out to be the deciding clash in the game.
Arvie “Aqua” Calderon completed a clutch Yin-Yan overturn on his Kagura and cancelled Joemarie “Escalera” Delos Santos' Feathered Air Strike ultimate on the Pharsa. Aqua also took down SDzyz’s Hayabusa in the process to cap a 14-6 Game 1.
Jhonard “Demonkite” Caranto put up a stellar game with a perfect 4-0-7 KDA on the jungle Karina while Aqua led the way with a spotless 5-0-5 line.
RSG faced a tough challenge from TNC in Game 2 as it quickly seized control of the map and allowed SDzyz’s Hayabusa and Robee “Yasuwo” Pormicille’s Claude to quickly get their hands on their core items.
After surviving two Lord sieges, a pick-off on Mark “Kramm” Rustana’s Phoveus which had been the biggest thorn to the side of RSG, the Raiders secured the 15-minute Lord while also taking down two more heroes from TNC.
That completed a 24-18 come-from-behind win to close out the series. Kenneth “Kenji” Villa soaked all of the damage for RSG to become the unsung hero of the game with a 3-3-7 line on the Uranus pick. Aqua though continued a solid outing for RSG with a 10-2-10 KDA on his Yve.