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AP.Bren outlasts Blacklist to open title defense; Minana trounces TNC

Sports | Esports

AP.Bren outlasts Blacklist to open title defense; Minana trounces TNC

By Reynald I. Magallon

At A Glance

AP.Bren began its title-defense with a sweep of its Finals rival Blacklist International while Minana Evos was off to a start in the MPL Philippines Season 13 opening day on Friday, March 15, at the Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati.

AP.Bren began its title-defense with a sweep of its Finals rival Blacklist International while Minana Evos was off to a start in the MPL Philippines Season 13 opening day on Friday, March 15, at the Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati.

AP.Bren celebrates after the rosing debut (MPL PH)

The defending champions outlasted the Codebreakers in a marathon Game 2 that capped a 2-0 sweep while rookie EXP lanerlaner Jann Kirk “Kirk” Gutierrez turned heads in Minana's 2-0 win over TNC.

It was a back-and-forth affair between AP.Bren and Blacklist in Game 2, reminiscent of their several tight showdowns in the past.

Kyle "Kyletzy" Sayson, on his jungle Barats pick, then came up huge in the crucial moments, managing to pick off Kiel "Oheb" Soriano's Claude.

That signaled the downfall of Blacklist's tough stand as the Codebreakers fell one by one, allowing the Bees to finally close out the series in 33 minutes of play.

Meantime, Kirk wasted no time in proving the he belongs to the big league after towing Minana to a series opening win.

Kirk was impressive on his Arlott with a 3-3-10 KDA line highlighted by an initiation during the 21-minute Lord fight that triggered a 3-1 exchange in Minana's favor.

Kirk then proved his first game performance was no fluke as he once again led a Game 2 onslaught for Minana to take the sweet sweep and deny the comebacking Jaylord "Hate" Gonzales a winning return in the MPL PH.

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