RSG Philippines reaches MPL Invitational quarterfinals at the expense of Echo

RSG Philippines leaned on the heroics of John Cedrix "Demonkite" Caranto to score a  2-1 escape against Echo in a battle of Philippine representatives at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Profesional League (MPL) Invitational 2021 on Thursday.

With the win, RSG arranged a quarterfinal showdown against MPL Indonesia Season 8 champions Onic Esports.

In Game 1, RSG thwarted an 11-5 midgame kill deficit via a 3-1 defensive stand in the 22nd minute followed by a 3-2 exchange in a base turret push to get in the driver's seat.

The MPL Philippines Season 8 rookies negated the rampage of Benedict "Bennyqt" Gonzales (Karrie) who at one point boasted a 7-0-1 KDA before he was shutdown in a pivotal late game clash.

Echo made sure to hold on to the lead in Game 2 as they scored back-to-back 2-0 wipes in the 8th and 11th minutes that led to turtle and lord takes. They took down all but one RSG inhibitor turrets while only surrendering one outer turret.

A crucial 2-0 pick off in the 24th minute enabled Echo to utilize the luminous lord and equalize, 1-1.

Despite Echo winning the early game clashes in Game 3, RSG was able to establish sizeable gold lead owing to superior macro strategies in the sidelanes and rode Demokite's (Benedetta) triple kill in the 18th minute to secure the luminous lord and take the series win.

—MGP, GMA News