No more PH vs PH this time around.
Filipino esports fans shower ECHO with all the love after the Orcas suffered a 0-3 sweep at the hands of Indonesian team, ONIC Esports, in the semifinals of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup (MSC) on Saturday in Cambodia.
ECHO, champions of MPL Philippines Season 11 and the M4 World Championship, had both the experience and the talent on paper to become a favorite in this Asian tilt. However, they were overwhelmed by the respected Indonesian squad, which had Filipinos Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol as a key player and Denver "Yeb" Miranda as head coach.
“The best pa din kayo sa amin. Keep fighting,” said Twitter user @ehhlen1208. “Always here to support no matter what.”
ECHO bounced right back after the semis loss, gutting out a 3-2 win over Cambodian team Burn x Flash to secure the bronze medal.
“Ranked third place for now but still the best team for me,” said netizen @jchllaueo.
This fan with the username @supermicroqt dished out warmth and care for the Orcas. Tama behavior, we say.
“Pahinga na kayo, please. Deserve n’yo ng rest at kumain ng masasarap na pagkain.”
Tristan "Yawi" Cabrera of ECHO also let out his thoughts after months of grinding in and out of tournaments for the team.
“Pagod na pagod. Ngayun ko lang naramdaman lahat simula M4. Walang pahinga. Lahat ng pagod and stress na naramdaman namin,” he tweeted before thanking all the supporters. “Marami pa tayo tournaments!”
One of those upcoming competitions is the M5 World Championship. And Cabrera has one thing to say about that.
“Ide-defend pa namin ‘to!”
Esports caster Leo, meanwhile, gives flowers to the Orcas and calls them among the world’s best—just to let ECHO know they can still hold their heads high.
The Philippines will still have a team to root for, as Blacklist International advances to the grand finals to face no less than ECHO’s tormentors, ONIC. Call it a payback attempt for the country if you want, BLCK, for its part, is just focused on the mission.
And as a team who won the M3 Worlds and has become a dynasty in MPL PH, they’re intent on winning their first-ever trophy at the MSC.
BLCK will take on ONIC tonight at 7:00 p.m. for all the marbles.