RSG shows Blacklist International the door, advances to lower bracket finals

RSG Philippines is assured of a podium finish after booting out Blacklist International, 3-1, in their lower bracket semifinals clash in the Mobile Legends:Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 13 playoffs on Friday at SM Southmall.

The Raiders have advanced to the lower bracket finals against Falcons AP.Bren with the winner earning the right to take on Team Liquid Echo in the Grand Finals and clinching the last MSC berth. Regardless of what happens next, RSG is already within the top three teams. 

After a quick Game 1 victory, RSG took it slow in Game 2 before a diversion play by midlaner Arvie "Aqua" Calderon (Luo Yi) during the lord clash in the 20th minute saw him finish it off with a solo tower lock alongside the aid of the minion waves for a commanding 2-0 lead. 

That single play allowed Aqua to take the MVP honors after unleashing two kills and seven assists against two deaths. 

The Codebreakers, however, didn't go down without a fight with jungler Stephen "Sensui" Castillo (Akai) slaying the second lord while Edward "Edward" Dapadap (Benedetta) took down RSG's jungler Jonard "Demonkite" Caranto just before the 16th minute mark. 

Blacklist took advantage of it and didn't look back, marching towards the base to extend the series.

RSG then needed just 13 minutes to give Blacklist the boot with exp laner Nathanael "Nathzz" Estrologo (Paquito) unloading a triple kill on Kenneth "Yue" Tadeo, Salic "Hadji" Imam, and Edward to fuel the last wipeout en route to a perfect 6/0/1 KDA. 

RSG will look to build on this momentum when it takes on defending world and MPL champion Bren later today. 

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News