Echo ends run of futility against RSG to secure spot in MPL S10 upper bracket finals

Echo snapped a losing skid against RSG Philippines dating back from Season 9 with a sweet 3-1 win in Day 2 of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 10 playoffs on Friday.

The Orcas were swept by the reigning MSC champions during the regular season and via a 2-0 sweep during the first round of Season 9.

Echo secured a top-three finish in Season 10 and will face the winner between the Blacklist International - Bren Esports series tomorrow with an M4 ticket at stake.

In Game 1, Jonard Cedrix “Demonkite” Caranto rampaged in the early game with his signature Fanny pick taking two quick kills by the 3rd minute but Alston “Sanji” Pabico (Faramis) kept Echo traded kills with timely releases of the Cult Altar.

Karl "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno (Akai) also provided the needed crowd control to fully disrupt Demonkite and take control of the match after securing the 10th minute lord.

Echo's most important play came early in the 18th minute when they sent three members to punish an overstaying Nathanael “Nathzz” Estrologo (Uranus) in the botlane to secure the enhanced lord and take the opener, 1-0.

Demonkite, who started with a 2-0-0 KDA, finished with a 2-4-1 KDA while Sanji completed a perfect performance with a 3-1-11 KDA, conceding his only death during the final moments.

Nathzz (Uranus) took the spotlight in Game 2 as he provided the aggressions and disruptions in the early game to help RSG secure the objectives highlighted by an 8th minute play where the defending champions punished two overextending enemy heroes for a 2-0 takedown.

But Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales (Bruno) scored double kill in the 9th minute to erase the early game gold deficit then followed up by Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya's (Phoveus) double kill in an 11th minute skirmish that saw Dylan "Light" Catipon (Ruby) execute an I'm Offended plus flicker set-up play only to be punished with a 3-2 exchange as the Orcas took command of the lord.

Echo reached match point after emerging on top of a 23rd minute lord dance, shooting down RSG with a 5-0 wipe out with Bennyqt finishing with a massive 10-0-3 KDA.

Game 3 was a nip-and-tuck affair with RSG taking a 6-3 kill lead off a 2-0 pick off late in the 5th minute but Echo played a beautiful midlane diversion play to secure the 9th minute lord and wrestle control of the map.

Demonkita (Karina) though, who started with a 0-2-0 KDA, scored a double kill in the ensuing defense then scored a 2-1 exchange during a 12th minute lord followed by a 4-1 trade off during a lengthy 15th minute team fight to once again turn the tables around.

RSG finally took a game after forcing their way through a 4-1 trade in the 18th minute, 2-1.

Both teams played a meticulous Game 4, registering the first kill only during the 6th minute but Echo started to take command after scoring a 3-1 exchange off a turtle fight and securing the 9th minute lord.

Mirroring their regular season play against Bren Esports, Echo employed a genius backdoor play during a 20th minute lord dance that saw Bennyqt (Beatrix) pick off Eman “EMANN” Sangco (Bruno) then burst down the base turret to close the series.

—JMB, GMA News