TWO TEAMS filled with young and up-and-coming superstars were coming in at both ends of the spectrum.
While RSG PH came from a momentous victory over Onic PH in Week 4, Nexplay EVOS came fresh from controversy caused by the heavy traffic and flat tire incident.
But in the end, it was the Raiders who carried on with the victory with a convincing 2-0 sweep over the fan favorites.
A key to their victory? Discipline.
RSG PH discipline at its finest
If Season 8 saw RSG suffer from late game lapses due to their lack of discipline, this series proved that RSG has learned from their previous mishaps as they slowed down Nexplay’s late game prowess.
Game 1 was a masterclass from both Dylan “Light” Catipon and Nathanael “Nathzz” Estrologo. RSG harassed the entire map with Light’s Franco, successfully securing key pickoffs in the lanes.
But it wasn’t just in the early stages of the game that propelled RSG to prevail, as the former NXPE player's clutch hook shots on Jeff Lenjesson “S4gitnu” Subang limited any counterattacking opportunities and base defensive capabilities from the Roaring Tigers.
He wasn’t the only late game defensive threat. RSG patiently waited for Jeniel “YellyHaze” Bata-anon to pop his abilities before they engaged.
Then Nathzz would serve as a massive distraction, limiting the backline engagement from Nexplay, creating space for Eman “EMANN” Sangco and Jonard Cedrix “Demonkite” Caranto to assault their foes.
Game 2 showed a different side of their systematic assaults.
Given the discipline from the Raiders, Nexplay inserted Michael “MP The King” Endino, with a cautious playstyle could be a surprise against their foes.
Unfortunately, he struggled to find a footing in this match as Demonkite kept on harassing him, limiting his potential at the latter stages of the game.
Exort exploded again, making two crucial plays to weaken Nexplay’s late game outburst. He forced MP The King to retreat, giving RSG the free Lord and he was able to overwhelm Jhonwin "Hesa" Vergara's Beatrix, a potential late game threat, ultimately sealing the 2-0 win.
A redemption story for Exort and RSG
Prior to his insertion in the starting lineup, Dexter "Exort" Martinez was heavily criticized. During his stint with Nexplay EVOS back in Season 7, he was viewed as the weakest link and fans would criticize his limited hero pool.
But under RSG Philippines, Exort was given a breath of fresh air and he made the most of his return, especially in Season 9. Not only was he crucial in allowing the Raiders to prevail against Onic PH's Johnson and Kadita combo, he even proved his value against his former team.
After losing to Nexplay in Seasons 8 all the way to the Sibol qualifiers, Exort considers this win a huge sigh of relief.
“Masarap sa feeling kase before pa po, mga last season tsaka noong mga Sibol, lagi po kaming nadudurog, parang laging zero yung score namin sa kanila kaya masarap sa feeling na bumawi. Tsaka since last season din, noong nakalaban ko NXP as gold lane, 0-2 yun eh," said Exort.
His fellow teammate Light, admitted that this was their revenge from the numerous losses that RSG suffered against the fan favorites.
“Sinasabi lagi sa content nila wala kaming panalo sa kanila eh. Kaya ngayong babawi kami na sila yung hindi mananalo sa amin," said Light.
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