AP.Bren could not have flipped the script any better as missing last season’s playoffs, it has quickly asserted dominance in the MPL Philippines Season 17 with back-to-back wins that only a few expected.
The Hive defeated TNC Pro Team, 2-1, to cap off an impressive Week 1 with a perfect 2-0 match record, tying Team Liquid Philippines atop the standings after the first three game days.
The Hive got off to a strong start, highlighted by team captain Kiel “Kielvj” Cruzem’s statement homecoming. He looked like he never left MPL Philippines, stepping up when it mattered most in Game 3 against TNC with a standout 8-1-6 KDA performance on Sora.
Meanwhile, Team Falcons closed the first week with a dramatic upset win over ONIC Philippines.
Salic “Hadji” Imam proved to be the missing piece the squad perfectly needed to kick off the season on a high note, exploding with a 6-0-3 KDA in the crucial Game 3.
The Hive’s Threat
AP.Bren proved that it’s not a team one can take lightly after that performance against TNC Pro Team pushed the Hive atop the standings alongside the Cavalry.
Game 1 featured a thrilling 22-minute battle, but it only took AP.Bren a counterengage after securing the final Lord to take control, led by Denniel "xNova" Gomez on Marcel.
After landing a perfectly timed Framed Moment that immobilized three TNC members, James "Jamespangks" Mendoza’s Suyou and Jan "Shizou" Valdez’s Harith followed up for a double kill.
xNova was named Game 1 MVP with a 0-3-12 KDA.
TNC Pro Team refused to back down in Game 2, mounting a comeback when Justine “Zaida” Palma, playing Nolan, stole the 21-minute Lord objective to power a base push against AP.Bren.
Zaida became TNC’s saving grace, delivering a 4-3-4 KDA that tied the series 1-1.
Game 3 told a different story, with AP.Bren taking full control. The Hive sealed the win after claiming the 17-minute Lord and executing another impressive counterengage led by xNova’s Marcel.
Kielvj, playing as Sora, dominated TNC with a stellar 8-1-6 KDA.
Falcons on the Hunt
Team Falcons edged out a resilient ONIC Philippines in a thrilling 2-1 win, with Hadji showing why he fits perfectly into the squad by being dependable in the mid-lane.
Both squads went head-to-head in Game 1, but the moment of truth arrived at 21 minutes in the top-lane jungle when Kirk “Kirk” Gutierrez landed a perfectly timed Flicker, Stormbind combo, slipping past Team Falcons’ backlines and setting up ONIC PH for a game-winning wipeout.
Kirk’s Sora stole the spotlight with a 4-4-3 KDA.
In Game 2, Team Falcons forced a deciding third game after ONIC Philippines failed to contest the 20-minute Lord.
Marco “SuperMarco” Requitiano, playing Harith, danced and slid around his opponents to take a perfect 6-0-4 KDA.
In Game 3, Team Falcons sealed the match by taking the Lord at 13 minutes uncontested, while Hadji on Kimmy delivered a clutch triple kill and finished with a flawless 6-0-3 KDA.
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