Hadji, Kielvj triumphant in debut with Team Falcons, AP. Bren in MPL Season 17

Salic "Hadji" Imam and Kiel "Kielvj" Cruzem made immediate impacts in their much-anticipated debuts with Team Falcons and AP. Bren as both teams secured statement wins in the opening weekend of MPL Philippines Season 17.

Hadji delivered a rousing performance in his career reboot at Team Falcons as the veteran midlaner helped the squad stun Onic Philippines by carving out a 2-1 reverse sweep victory on Sunday night at the Victoria Sports Tower.

Team Falcons shrugged off a Game 1 loss and responded in style as Hadji powered Game 2 with four kills and seven assists on Valentina. In the decider, Team Falcons locked down an uncontested 13-minute Lord that paved the way for the finishing push with Hadji sealing it with a triple kill on Kimmy.

The win marked a new start for Hadji, who has had quite the journey since ending his run with the multi-titled club Blacklist International. After his run with the Codebreakers, Hadji joined then new club Twisted Minds before making a homecoming to Smart Omega last season. 

Hadji also stepped in as a replacement of longtime midlaner Angelo "Pheww" Arcangel. 

Meanwhile, Kielvj marked his Philippine comeback with twin victories with his new team. 

The veteran exp laner, who saw action for multiple overseas teams over the past three years, made his presence felt for AP. Bren in their back-to-back wins over Smart Omega and TNC. 

AP.Bren’s 2-0 start already puts them close to matching their total wins from Season 16, when the squad finished with just four victories against 10 losses and missed the playoffs.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News