Defending MPL Philippines champions AP.Bren remained undefeated in Season 13 after a battle of two MPL and M-series titleholders.
Still in championship form!
MPL Philippines Season 12 champion AP.Bren survived Season 11 winner ECHO, 2-1, to extend a perfect 6-0 run in Season 13 on Saturday.
While AP.Bren stayed on top of the standings, the Orcas still dealt the Hive their first game loss of the season in what turned out to be a battle of M-series champions.
The key, it turned out, was the off-season acquisition of assisant coach Robert "Trebor" Sanchez.
See, Trebor was part of ECHO from July 2022 until February 2024.
"With the addition of Trebor, I personally feel na magiging malaking factor when it comes to our tactical aspect of our preparation for the upcoming tournaments," said AP.Bren's head coach Francis "Ducky" Glindro.
ECHO had managed to extend the best-of-three matchup on Saturday, after outsmarting AP.Bren in Game 2. However, the Hive remained composed under pressure and took Game 3 against the Orcas.
"Hinanap lang po namin 'yung mali namin nung Game 2, tapos in-adjust po namin para hindi na gawin sa game 3,” Michael "KyleTzy" Sayson, regarding their first game loss of the season against ECHO.
"Sa esports po kasi normal lang po yung matalo," he added.
Team captain Angelo Kyle “Pheww” Arcangel explained how ECHO's capability to pick up the pace during the star match impeded their smooth run.
"Sobrang lakas nila sa early. Ganun yung line-up namin lagi, yung play style namin. Parang early-game-centric kami tapos nasasabayan kami ng early game," Pheww said.
Knowing the tendencies of the Orcas became a major factor.
“Alam ko rin pattern ng drafting nila. Kaya kanina 'yung three games namin, nag-dragon (Yu Zhong) sila. Alam ko iba-ban nila Harith kaya pinick na lang namin agad,” Trebor said in explaining the thought process behind the Game 3 draft.
Ducky knows there's still plenty to adjust though.
"Alam naman natin lahat na championship caliber si Trebor na tactician. So I’m seeing a lot of potential, but I am also seeing areas na pwede niya i-improve as well as myself and the team," he explained.
AP.Bren and ECHO will have a rematch on Week 7.