Team Falcons join Team Liquid in MSC lower bracket after loss to Indonesian foe

Both Philippine representatives are now one loss away from an early exit in the 2026 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid-Season Cup after Team Falcons suffered a 0-2 defeat to Indonesia's Team Vitality on Friday in Paris.

Fresh off a sweep of Guangzhou Gaming in its tournament opener, Team Falcons failed to take down the Indonesian champions and dropped to the lower bracket to join fellow Filipino squad Team Liquid PH as every succeeding match is now a win-or-go-home affair.

Team Falcons PH will face wildcard winner Team Falcons MENA in a do-or-die match.

"I think all of the teams here in EWC (Esports World Cup) are a threat so we must not stay loose and complacent. Malakas talaga sila. They're all strong for me," Team Falcons roamer Rowgien "Owgwen" Unigo said.

Team Falcons was actually off to a good start as the Filipinos raced to an early 8-1 lead in Game 1 behind exp laner David "FlapTzy" Canon's Dyrroth and midlaner Salic "Hadji" Imam's Valentina.

But the reigning MPL Indonesia champions flipped the switch during an extended second Lord clash, where they picked off four Team Falcons heroes to swing the momentum onto their favor.

Team Falcons weathered that Lord siege, but Team Vitality refused to let up. Jungler Manuel "Nnael" Simbolon secured the third Lord with a clutch Retribution on Hirara before erupting for a triple kill in the ensuing clash. With no one left standing to defend, the Indonesians marched straight into the base to complete a stunning Game 1 comeback.

Team Vitality, which crushed Onic to win the MPL Indonesia Season 17 title, built on that confidence in Game 2 as they aggressively invaded Team Falcons' base at the 17th minute.

The Filipinos threw everything they had to hold the line, but a last pick-off on Owgwen's Akai left Team Falcons without its primary frontline as it ultimately allowed Team Vitality to finish the exposed base.

—JKC, GMA News