Team Falcons Punch Ticket to MPL PH S18 Upper Bracket Finals

Team Falcons PH punched its ticket to the MPL Philippines Season 18 Upper Bracket Finals after sweeping ONIC PH, 3-0, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Following a grueling 10-game marathon on the opening day of the playoffs, the Green Falcons took a more decisive route, dismantling ONIC to move one step closer to back-to-back grand finals appearances and potentially becoming the first team to represent the Philippines at the M8 World Championship.

The defeat, meanwhile, sends ONIC PH to the lower bracket, where its championship hopes will be on the line with no room for error.

Hunting For Their Prey
Team Falcons established early control in Game 1, building a lead of more than 2,500 gold beyond the six-minute mark despite holding only a 2-0 advantage in kills before the final Turtle objective.

During a 6:36 mid-lane clash, Kirk’s Atlas caught SuperMarco’s Paquito with a Fatal Links-Flicker combo. Brusko’s Marcel responded with Golden Hour, catching four Falcons members, but the fight ended in a 3-for-3 trade after Kyle’s low-health Hirara outplayed ONIC’s members.

ONIC’s scrappy defense extended the opening game to 19 minutes, but it could not withstand the Falcons’ final push. Kyle’s Hirara erupted for a double kill during the final mid-lane clash, leaving only SuperFrince’s Yve and K1NGKONG’s Nolan to defend ONIC’s base.

Kyle led the Falcons’ charge with a perfect 6-0-6 KDA and 100% kill participation.

Falcons Take Match Point
Team Falcons carried its momentum into Game 2, with Flap’s Barats scoring a double kill at the 2:28 mark during a counter-engage against Kirk’s Lapu-Lapu, with support from Hadji’s Rafaela and her Holy Baptism ultimate.

Although K1NGKONG managed to steal the second Lord, Falcons quickly punished ONIC, building a commanding 4-0 lead without losing a single member.

SuperMarco’s Paquito and Kyle’s Hirara then worked in tandem during a 10:40 mid-lane clash, securing a double kill despite SuperFrince’s Valentina landing a four-man Terrify.

With the second Lord secured, the Green Falcons pressed their advantage in the final siege. Flap’s Barats caught Savero’s Cici with Missile Expert near the bottom-lane inhibitor turret at 13:42, allowing Falcons to eliminate ONIC’s crucial defender and break through its defenses.

The decisive push sealed the game for Falcons, putting them one win away from a clean sweep.

Hadji’s Rafaela played an important role in sustaining the Falcons’ aggression, finishing the game with a 0-1-16 KDA.

Completing the Sweep
Team Falcons once again took control early in Game 3, securing all three Turtle objectives. ONIC, however, refused to go down without a fight, finding opportunities to punish Falcons whenever its members overextended.

ONIC’s resilience was on full display during a 14:47 base defense, when K1NGKONG’s Aulus interrupted Hadji’s Pharsa’s Feathered Airstrike before eventually picking him off.

But Hadji’s artillery proved too much to handle in the ensuing Lord fight. At the 17:20 mark, he eliminated Brusko’s Carmilla, while K1NGKONG’s decision to stay in the fight instead of retreating cost him his life as well.

With the Lord marching alongside them and a five-versus-two numerical advantage, the Green Falcons seized their opportunity to end the game and complete the 3-0 sweep.

Kyle’s Alice finished Game 3 with a 2-1-12 KDA as Falcons secured their place in the Upper Bracket Finals.