ESPORTS

3 takeaways from opening weekend of MLBB Pro League Philippines Season 7

The opening weekend of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 7 was nothing short of boombastic.

For one, many pre-season predictions were trashed and top seeds fell down like dominoes one by one. Let's take a look at who's in and who's out.

1. Season 7 newbies are no pushovers

Work Auster Force and Laus Playbook Esports proved that they belong with the big boys as they delivered impressive performances to open the season.

Despite losing their debut series, Work showed glimpses of how good they can be against top-tier teams in the league as they snatched a game against two-time champs AURA and even fought toe-to-toe in Games 2 and 3 before losing out in the late game.

Laus, meanwhile, completed a reverse sweep of Nexplay Esports to open their campaign with a bang. The rookie team displayed complete dominance in Game 3 to prove that their Game 2 win wasn't a fluke.

The new season of MPL PH is shaping up to be a very interesting one with many emerging teams ready to contend for the title. Will Work and Laus maintain their level of play to avoid demotion from the league?

2. Execretion is out for blood

Longtime MPL topdog Execretion has sent a strong message across the league as they blanked Season 6 runner-up Omega Esports in their opening match for Season 7.

Banking on new acquisitions Kiel "Kielvj" Hernandez and Duane "Kelra" Pillas, Execretion pounded the helpless Omega, who seemed to be in the disarray since their upper bracket loss in the M2 World Championship this year.

Kielvj, who was a two-time champion with Sunsparks, is out to prove himself as he shifted into the jungle hypercarry role from being a gold-laner last season.

Is the time ripe for fan-favorite Billy Ray "z4pnu" Alfonso to finally raise his first-ever MPL trophy with Execretion?

3. Topdogs no more?

The opening weekend has so far been a reality-check for the MPL PH teams who represented the country in the world championship this year. Both Omega and Bren so far haven't scored any wins under their belt with both suffering shutout losses.

Omega was the first to fall after they were ambushed by the rejuvenated Execration squad. Bren stumbled against Onic PH, who completely annihilated them in Game 3 with a 16-4 kill lead to leave the defending world champs hapless. Not even facing a Season 6 minnow team in Nexplay could help Bren regain their bearings as they were completely outclassed in the series clincher.

It is still too early to tell but the Top 2 teams from the previous season have a lot on their plate to ponder at the moment. Season 7 looks as exciting as they come with many storylines already sneaking out this early in the tournament. —MGP, GMA News