Let the Games Begin!
The journey begins as the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) kicks off with 512 teams battling it out in a series of rigorous single-elimination matches. Teams slogged through many battles, playing with passion – making every move to prove their worth and reach their dreams of becoming an esports athlete.
The qualifier had an abundance of meta picks as Kagura, Hayabusa and Roger were among the popular picks for most of the qualifier matches. We also saw high impact heroes like Lancelot, Diggy and Akai as the most common bans.
The Final 4
The qualifier boiled down to 4 teams fighting for their chance in the spotlight and a share of the USD 100,000 prize pool. Each team battled in a series of best of 3 matches. The match-ups were Mysterious Assassins (MyA) vs MysticBurden (MCB) and AoD vs Team Saiyan (TSYN), along with a 3rd place match as a chance for redemption for the losers of the previous semi-finals.
For the complete bracket:
Group A: http://challonge.com/MPLMYQ1GA
Group B: http://challonge.com/MPLMYQ1GB
Semi-Final 1: Mysterious Assassins vs MysticBurden
MyA are an already seasoned team that has made their way to Malaysia’s Championship (MSC). MCB performed tremendously in getting successful ganks on MyA during the early game. However, MyA were able to play against this and capitalise on objectives, and despite MCB’s strong early game, they managed to secure the first game. Picks like Grock and Kagura really defined that game. MCB had 1 more chance to show their skill and passion and managed to claw their way back into the game with a similar strategy. They played against the objective-based strategy of MyA with a strong team fight lineup as well as constantly going for key players. This strategy pushed them from their previous loss and gave them the next 2 games, becoming the first team to seal a spot in the regular season.
Score: MyA 1 – MCB 2
Semi-Final 2: AoD vs Team Saiyan
TSYN have showed their prowess in the competitive scene in past competitions like MSC where they faced and defeated MyA. Coming in as heavy favourites, their performance during their match against AoD lived up to expectations. Seeing AoD team-wiped and outplayed consistently, TSYN was definitely a force to be reckoned with. AoD did not stand a chance against the seasoned TSYN as they were easily dispatched, and TSYN set the record for the quickest match of the qualifiers. This meant that AoD would have to play against MyA whereas TSYN advanced into the regular season.
Score: AoD 0 – TSYN 2
Third Place Match: MyA vs AoD
The match was both team’s final shot at advancing to the regular season and their last chance to show if they are passionate and skilled enough to push for their dreams of becoming an esports athlete. MyA’s background puts them at the advantage against AoD and it certainly showed. AoD could not play against MyA’s strong team fight-centric picks, falling apart just 5 mins into the game – eventually losing game 1. MyA showed consistency with their ruthless ganks and pickoffs,meeting very little resistance from the opposing team. Overall dominating games 1 and 2 saved MyA from elimination and granted them a spot in the regular season.
Score: MyA 2 – AoD 0
Calm Before the Storm
MyA, MCB and TSYN have proven themselves worthy of their spots in MPL. However, there is still a long road ahead if they want to be crowned champions and legends. The battle continues in the Singapore Qualifiers as aspiring esports athletes display their passion and their skills in this mobile MOBA. Will Singapore rise and showcase their passion? Find out on December 1st to December 3rd.
For all Singaporean Mobile Legends players out there: do you have what it takes to be the very best? If you replied a resounding ‘yes!’, don’t wait, form your team and register now at http://mysg-s4.mpl.mobilelegends.com/register/qualifier-2.
Your story awaits.
The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) is an esports league organized by Moonton (Mobile Legends’ developer) and eGG Network (a gaming and esports TV channel) for players based in Malaysia and Singapore. The league features a USD 100,000 prize pool and its purpose is to provide a platform for players to play competitively; to develop their skills and open up possibilities for a career in esports. From qualifiers to playoffs, the league will run for 5 months (November 2017 – April 2018). Registration for the second qualifiers (Singapore) runs from 21 to 28 November, with matches played on 1 – 3 December.
