Team Liquid downs Falcons, completes first-ever MPL PH three-peat
At A Glance
- Team Liquid displayed its championship poise and took down its challenger Team Falcons, 4-2, to etch its name in the MPL Philippines history as the first-ever three-peat winners after ruling the Season 17 at the San Juan Arena on Sunday, May 31.
Team Liquid displayed its championship poise and took down its challenger Team Falcons, 4-2, to etch its name in the MPL Philippines history as the first-ever three-peat winners after ruling the Season 17 at the San Juan Arena on Sunday, May 31.
The defending champions squandered a 2-0 lead in the series but regained their footing behind the big plays from Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya and rookie Dave “Teddy” Viaña to cement their dynasty through the last three seasons of the MPL.
Sanford, for his consistent showing throughout the series, was hailed as the Finals MVP.
With the series on a 2-2 deadlock but the momentum on the side of Team Falcons after two consecutive wins, Sanford took charge in Game 5 with the Paquito pick which compiled a neat 8-0-2 line.
The relentless aggression of TLPH — an advantage it got from their Hylos and Leomord picks — worked wonders as the Cavalry starved Team Falcons of their resources en route to a lopsided 13-2 win in just 10 minutes, putting them on cusp of the crown.
Refusing to go down without a fight, Team Falcons held its ground in Game 6 but Teddy dazzled on his gold lane Claude pick, even completing a Maniac to allow TLPH to break through the base defense of the Falcons.
He then secured the Lord objective during a messy 12th minute team fight before Team Liquid took out two heroes from Team Falcons to aid the final base siege and end the series.
Teddy shone with a 7-1-6 KDA while Karl “Karltzy” Nepomuceno, widely regarded as MLBB’s greatest of all time, once again lived up to his name with a 7-2-8 tally on the jungle Harley pick to pick up his sixth MPL title.
Also picking up his sixth title was Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz to join Karltzy as the winningest in MPL PH followed by now five-time titlists in Sanford and midlaner Alston “Sanji” Pabico.