Innocent's record-breaking kills carries SRG past RRQ

PUTRAJAYA — Filipino gold laner John "Innocent" Banal made history after steering the Selangor Red Giants to a 3-1 victory over Indonesia's RRQ Hoshi during the lower bracket quarterfinals of M6 World Championship on Wednesday here. 

Innocent exploded for 19 kills in Game 3 on the Granger, making him the player with the highest number of kills in the entire M-series history. His outstanding showing now put the Malaysian club two three wins away from winning the world title. 

SRG advanced to lower bracket semifinals against Team Spirit, which earlier ousted Myanmar's Falcon Esports. 

"Doon sa performance in Innocent, para sa akin, sobrang lakas talaga nitong batang 'to. And ngayon, very proud lang ako na napapakita na niya sa buong mundo kung ano 'yung potential niya," SRG head coach Michael "Arcadia" Bocado, also a Filipino, told Philippine media. 

"Actually sa performance niya, kung tutuusin, hindi na siya surprising kasi kahit sa mga practices naman maganda 'yung napapakita niya."

After utilizing Bruno and Moskov in Game 1 and Game 2 that saw the two teams tied at 1-1 in the series, Innocent decided to unleash his demon hunter Granger in Game 3 as they looked to regain the series lead. 

It was a decision that proved to be crucial for the Malaysian squad with Innocent picking off three members of RRQ as they took the uncontested lord at the 15th minute mark. Innocent then slayed his counterpart Skylar (Claude) and Idok (Jawhead) at the base for an unofficial savage en route to the victory. 

He finished with a spotless 19/0/5 KDA. 

RRQ, however, opted not to ban Granger come Game 4 which Innocent took advantage of. 

During the last lord dance, the teams went back and forth but a set-up from another Filipino import in Mark "Kramm" Rusiana set the stage for another killing spree for Innocent, completing the five-man wipeout as they sent the Indonesian powerhouse packing. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News