The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By REYN GALLO
Defending champion Team Liquid Philippines continued to stamp their class and secure the first upper bracket spot in the MPL Philippines Season 17 with still a week left in the regular season.
Gunning for a three-peat, the Cavalry made their title bid apparent early, sweeping the first half of the eliminations with an impressive 7-0 record before only needing four more wins to assure itself of an outright spot in the upper bracket of the MPL playoffs.
Team Liquid currently sport a league-best 11-1 record with its only loss coming at the hands of Team Falcons PH, 2-1, in Week 6 on May 2.
The Cavalry, composed of the quintet of Karl “Karltzy” Nepomuceno, Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya, Alston “Sanji” Pabico, Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz and Dave “Teddyqt” Viana, quickly bounced back with a 2-1 win over AP.Bren the next day.
Team Liquid formally clinched the playoff incentive with a dominant 2-0 victory over Omega Esports on Friday, May 8.
The team is playing TNC as of press time for their penultimate assignment before closing out the eliminations with a clash against Onic PH in the final day of regular season next week.
Meanwhile, still jockeying for position for the second upper bracket incentive are Team Falcons and Onic. Both squads are already through to the playoffs with the former boasting a 9-1 record at the second spot while the latter has a 7-4 slate good for the third.
At no. 4, Omega Esports holds a 5-6 slate followed by Twisted Minds PH with a 5-7 card. Clinging on the sixth spot is Aurora Gaming PH with a 3-8 record while still making a chase for a spot in the Magic 6 are AP.Bren at No.7 with a 3-9 slate and TNC at No.8 with a 2-9 card.