ESPORTS

Echo sweeps Blacklist International to jumpstart MPL PH Season 11 campaign

M4 world champion Echo picked up where it left off, pulling off a sweep win over Blacklist International, 2-0, to kick off its Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 11 campaign on Friday at the Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati City.

The Orcas made quick work of the Codebreakers in Game 1 with Tristan "Yawi" Cabrera claiming MVP honors on his Atlas, finishing with a 0-0-9 KDA line as Echo again banned Blacklist's signature hero Estes.

Echo secured Game 1 in just 11 minutes and 30 seconds before Blacklist, the reigning MPL titlist, put up a fight in the second game.

Blacklist denied Benedict "Bennyqt" Gonzales on his backdoor attempt at the 16th minute mark before looking like it could close out Echo and force a decider. But Echo held on, blanking Blacklist to open its new bid just a month after ruling the world stage.

Bennyqt (Brody) still bagged MVP honors after pouring in seven kills and seven assists against two deaths.

Echo will look to make it two wins in a row on Saturday against highly-touted Bren Esports while Blacklist faces TNC next later in the day.

Meanwhile, new-look Nexplay Evos made a statement debut with a similar 2-0 sweep of TNC to wrap up the double-header.

Nexplay, bannered by Minana who won a number of titles in amateur scene, took 15 minutes to dispose of TNC in Game 1 with Borris "BruskoDR" Parro's masterful use of Ruby steering the squad. BruskoDR was handed the MVP honors after collecting nine assists against one death.

But it was a different Game 2 for both teams. TNC's Robee Bryan "Ninajakilla" Promocille took Nexplay by surprise when he picked Zilong for the gold lane, which bore fruit as TNC sent the game to a distance. However, Nexplay made the adjustments late to pull off the sweep in almost 30 minutes of clash. 

Dominic "DomengDR" Delmundo had an impressive 10-4-11 KDA on his Karrie at the gold lane to get the MVP recognition.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News