Five teams keep perfect slates as MDL Philippines Season 5 kicks off
Photo from MDL Philippines
Five teams keep perfect slates as MDL Philippines Season 5 kicks off
MANILA, Philippines – The fifth season of MDL Philippines is officially underway, with 16 teams battling for supremacy in the second-tier Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) esports league in the country.
The title will be anyone for the taking, as supposedly defending champions Lazy Esports had their roster acquired by AP.Bren for MPL PH Season 15.
After an action-packed Week 1, five teams remain undefeated, while four others have yet to drop a series as teams look to secure early momentum in the tournament.
Group A: AP.Bren RWE Takes Early Control
AP.Bren Rough World Era (APRW) asserted their dominance in Week 1, sweeping Uncle Drew Gamerpact (UDG) 2-0 in their season opener. Matt led the way in Game 1 with his Nolan, finishing with an unstoppable 10/2/8 KDA. In Game 2, Regiii’s Chou showcased flawless play with a perfect 2/0/8 KDA, sealing APRW’s sweep and securing their place at the top of the standings.
Meanwhile, Aurora Hunters and Martial Mayhem also had a strong start, earning draws in their opening matches. Aurora Hunters initially took control of their series against UDG by winning Game 1, but UDG managed to mount a comeback in the second game, securing a late equalizer to salvage a draw.
Similarly, Martial Mayhem denied APRW a perfect opening week, thanks to a surprise Odette pick from Cinderella, which played a key role in stealing Game 2 from the preseason favorites.
Despite identical records, UDG currently sits behind due to point differential. Moving forward, the upcoming matchups will be crucial for defining Group A’s standings. UDG will look to claim their first full series win against Martial Mayhem, while Aurora Hunters face a tough test against AP.Bren RWE in a battle that could decide the early frontrunner.
The highly anticipated clash between Martial Mayhem and Aurora Hunters later in the week will also play a crucial role in shaping the second-round seedings.
Group B: TNC x Voltes Struggles, Team Liquid PH Academy Shines
TNC x Voltes PH had a rough start to MDL PH Season 5, suffering back-to-back 0-2 defeats at the hands of Karibok Heroes and Team Liquid PH Academy (TLPH Academy). These losses place TNC x Voltes at the bottom of Group B with a worrying record as they struggle to gain momentum in their debut season.
Meanwhile, TLPH Academy surged to the top spot with a dominant Week 1 performance. Daikiqt proved to be a key addition to the team, putting on a stellar performance to lead TLPH Academy to victory against Flair Esports. Against TNCV, Aizawa and Thoughto took over, dominating both games and ensuring a clean 2-0 sweep.
With these results, Team Liquid PH Academy sits atop Group B, followed by Karibok Heroes, who secured a single win. Flair Esports, despite their struggles, still managed to secure a draw and remain in the hunt.
The upcoming week will be pivotal as Flair Esports and Karibok Heroes square off in a crucial battle for second place, while Karibok Heroes will look to challenge the group leaders in their matchup against TLPH Academy. TNC x Voltes PH, still looking for their first victory, will have their final opportunity in the first round against Flair Esports, hoping to avoid an 0-6 record heading into the second phase.
Group C: Falcons Rise, RRQ Kaito Stumbles
Former MDL Philippines champions RRQ Kaito had a tough Week 1, dropping a 0-2 series to Team Falcons Academy in a performance that raised concerns for the Season 3 champions. RRQ Kaito struggled to contain Vinnskie, who shined for Falcons with his Harith and Moskov, racking up 12 kills and 7 assists across both games to power his team to victory. Falcons built on their momentum by securing another 2-0 sweep against Twisted Minds Rising, establishing themselves as the early leaders of Group C.
Meanwhile, Twisted Minds Rising debuted with a 1-1 draw against Metacore Crimson, securing a single point to start their MDL journey. The match showcased Metacore Crimson’s ability to compete against seasoned teams, but the team will face an even greater challenge in Week 2 when they go up against both RRQ Kaito and Team Falcons Academy.
RRQ Kaito, eager to bounce back, will also have to prove themselves against FLCA and Twisted Minds Rising next week in their effort to reclaim the top spot.
Group D: Omega NEOS Dominates, H2WO Makes History
Smart Omega NEOS sent a clear message to the rest of the competition with a flawless start, sweeping both Minerva and Gods of Edith (GOE) 2-0 to secure Group D’s top spot. H2WO put on a show in their opening match against Minerva, making history by recording the first savage of MDL PH Season 15 with Ling, finishing with an incredible 15/0/7 KDA.
Meanwhile, ONIC Nine Lives (ONL) also impressed, handing Minerva their second consecutive loss and putting themselves in contention for the top of the group.
As Week 2 approaches, GOE will look to turn things around against a struggling Minerva squad, while ONL will take on Omega NEOS in a highly anticipated battle for Group D supremacy.
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