Team Falcons PH Rise After a ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’
Photo from MPL Philippines / Richard Esguerra
Team Falcons PH Rise After a ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’
Team Falcons PH withstood probably their biggest underwhelming season with the biggest comeback of the year. The Falcons’ Nest held their breath as they watched their favorite team concede loss after loss—only to rise up on their darkest of days and find a way to make their 21st Century Breakdown into one of redemption.
When everything looked bleak, the Falcons made sure September didn’t end without a fight, squeaking their way into the top six. Some doubted their lineup would even make it after four weeks of defeats and setbacks. Even the players tempered their hopes—some for the first time in their careers.
But the core of the former M5-winning AP.Bren lineup reminded everyone that true champions “don’t wanna be just another face in the crowd.” Legends, after all, never just die.
Holiday (and Heartache)
The Falcons made headlines when they announced the departure of key sixth man and perennial teammate Vincent “Pandora” Unigo after six seasons. But like a Holiday that ends only to mark a new beginning, they found balance again by bringing in former RRQ Kaito and MDL Philippines standout Edferdz “Ferdz” Fernandez.
With just one roster tweak, the Falcons were expected to soar among the top three again. They started strong with a win over Aurora Gaming, only to stumble against rookie-laden Twisted Minds. From there, disaster struck.
Despite their experience on both club and international fronts, their initial run was a Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Losses piled up—both in MPL PH and the 17th IESF World Esports Championship SEA qualifiers. But when the noise around them grew louder, the Falcons tuned it out and found focus again.
Their turnaround began in Week 6 with the arrival of Mohammad “Moody” Samal as assistant coach. His addition lit a Minority spark within the squad, bringing structure and synergy. By Week 7, the connection clicked—the team won their final three matches and, with a little luck from other results, clinched the last playoff berth by the slimmest margin over Smart Omega.
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Unlike others, Team Falcons PH’s defeats weren’t blowouts—they were heartbreaks. Between September 7 to 28, all five of their losses ended in close 1–2 series. Their rhythm was there, but they couldn’t hold on to momentum.
Their EXP lane rotation became a Brain Stew of choices as Ferdz and David “FlapTzy” Canon shared minutes between MPL and SIBOL duties. FlapTzy finally reclaimed his spot in Week 5, and the team immediately bounced back with a win against Twisted Minds. But that does not mean Ferdz is a “dookie” as he had his great moments, too.
When Coach Moody fully took charge, the team’s performance surged—from a 31.81% game win rate before his arrival to 41.67% by Week 8. By the end of September, they “woke up” with a 75% win rate over the final two weeks—their own version of a Good Riddance to inconsistency. In fact, they were the second-best team in the league in that stretch, just behind Aurora Gaming.
Basket Case: Owgwen and Super Marco Lead the Charge
Two names defined their revival: Rowgien “Owgwen” Unigo and Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano.
For Owgwen, versatility has always been his calling card, but this season, he pushed it to the limit. His hero pool was a basket of options—14 unique heroes in 36 games, the second-highest in the league. Instead of relying on a single comfort pick, he embraced chaos, switching from tanks to roamers and even utility supports depending on what the team needed.
What he lacked in flashy highlight reels, he made up for in stability and adaptability. His Kaja remains untouchable, winning all three games he used it, while his once-trusted Gatotkaca—his most-picked hero—symbolizes how much he’s evolved beyond old habits.
Super Marco, meanwhile, carried the offensive torch with consistency and flair. His 135 total kills ranked second overall, while his 3.75 average kills per game placed him among the elite gold laners this season.
Once known for his precision with traditional marksmen like Brody and Claude, he showed he wasn’t afraid to walk a new boulevard by taking up unconventional picks like Bane, Cici, and even Ruby. Each choice showcased a willingness to adapt—a mark of a veteran who understands that survival in the meta means reinventing yourself.
Together, Owgwen and Super Marco became the steady pulse of a team rediscovering its rhythm—proof that even in the noise and madness, there’s method behind every Basket Case.
Good Riddance (Time of Their Life)
The road ahead won’t be easy. The Falcons now face defending champions Team Liquid PH, with a potential clash against world champions ONIC Philippines looming.
For Coach Moody, it’s personal—he once coached Liquid’s MDL and female teams. But this time, the stage is his to prove that this isn’t just a comeback; it’s a Warning to every other team.
Because no matter how far they fall, the Falcons always find a way to rise. Through frustration, failure, and faith—they’ve lived out the words of every Green Day anthem: “It’s something unpredictable, but in the end, it’s right.”
They’ve had the time of their life—and the flight isn’t over just yet.
(Stats courtesy of MPL Philippines, Drew Malihan, and Jesus Evan Bonjibod)
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