Echo upsets host RRQ Hoshi as Yawi sits out M4 opener

Echo pulled off an upset to kick off its Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M4 World Championships campaign, frustrating home bet and powerhouse RRQ Hoshi of Indonesia, 1-0, on Monday at the Tennis Indoor Stadium Senayan in Jakarta.

Alston "Sanji" Pabico starred for the MPL Philippines Season 10 runner-up with a near-perfect KDA line of eight kills and eight assists against just one death to steer Echo to a dominant 18-7 kill spread.

Echo, who was playing without starting roamer Tristan "Yawi" Cabrera, finished off the Indonesian club in just over 18 minutes with Jaypee "Jaypee" Dela Cruz also playing a crucial role.

"Masaya kasi nakapaglaro ako dito. Kaya nung reserve player ako, nagpa-practice pa rin ako tapos nung nakalaro na ako dito, talagang todo bigay na kasi minsan lang 'to," said Jaypee", who filled in the void left by Yawi.

("I'm happy because I got to play here. When I was a reserve player, I still practiced and when I finally got to play here, I really gave everything because this does not always come.")

Echo will play Middle East's Occupy Thrones and Singapore's RSG SG on January 4 to wrap up its group stage campaign.

While Echo went 1-0 early in Group C, RRQ fell to a split 1-1 result as it defeated Occupy Thrones earlier in the day.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News