Team Liquid silences Twisted Minds as KarlTzy leads sweep

Karl "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno put on a signature performance as Team Liquid humbled surging Twisted Minds with a 2-0 sweep in the MPL Philippines Season 16 on Sunday at the Green Sun Hotel.

The multi-titled jungler showcased his mastery of Fredrinn in both games, powering the Cavalry to rebound from a tough loss to Aurora Gaming last Friday and climb back to an even 2-2 record.

The defeat marked Twisted Minds’ first of the season after opening with an impressive 3-0 run despite fielding a rookie-laden lineup.

"Sinabi ko lang sa kanila na kailangan nating bumalik sa basic na parang hindi tayo kilala ng mga tao. Kailangan lang natin ibigay kung paano tayo naglalaro ng ML dati," TLPH head coach Rodel "Ar Sy" Cruz said. 

"Wala tayong kailangan patunayan sa kanila, patunayan lang natin sa sarili natin na nag-improve tayo everyday."

[I told them we needed to get back to basics, like when no one knew who we were. We need to show them how we used to play ML... We have nothing to prove to them, but we want to prove to ourselves that we're improving everyday.]

Team Liquid used experience early on with KarlTzy, exp laner Sanford "Sanford" Vinuya (Lapu-Lapu), and midlaner Alston "Sanji" Pabico (Zhuxin) all securing their comfort hero picks in Game 1.

KarlTzy slayed the Lord without any contest from the opposing side before they stormed to Twisted Minds' base, allowing gold laner Kiel "Oheb" Soriano (Harith) to unleash a triple kill to finish it off.

KarlTzy erupted for two kills and 15 assists for an impeccable 100% kill participation, stamping his dominance on the series that lasted for just 14 minutes and four seconds.

But Twisted Minds opted not to ban KarlTzy’s comfort utility pick, allowing him to secure Fredrinn once again in the crucial Game 2. 

The rookie-laden squad managed to keep pace with the reigning MSC champions in the early minutes, until Oheb (Granger) outdueled Mico “Nosia” Capil (Moskov) in a top-lane skirmish to draw first blood at the 5:34 mark.

That breakthrough kill swung the momentum to Team Liquid’s favor, with Oheb clearing the first turrets in both the top and bottom lanes before another late triple kill sealed the Cavalry’s stampede.

Twisted Minds, which pulled off stunning upset wins against Team Falcons, AP. Bren, and Smart Omega, fell to a 3-1 card but remained at the top of the team standings. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News