MLBB: Falcons AP Bren give RSG Philippines utmost respect after tough lower bracket matchup

The line before the chorus of current WWE Champion Cody Rhodes’ song could never have been made more true: hard times indeed breed better men.

This, as reigning Mobile Legends: Bang Bang World Champions Falcons AP Bren said – and showed – nothing but respect and admiration for the valiant fight that RSG Philippines gave them in the lower bracket finals of the MPL Philippines Season 13 playoffs.

“I think they’re a very strong opponent, one of the hardest we’ve played so far actually,” Falcons AP Bren head coach Francis “Duckeyy” Glindro said of RSG Philippines’ performance. “Probably on par with (Liquid) ECHO definitely. We’re looking forward to actually playing with them again, probably in trainings such as scrimmages and stuff.”

“But right now, I think they’re one of the best teams out there,” the MPL Philippines Season 13 coach said.

He added, “This is one of the hardest MPL playoffs that we’ve played so far. The standard is already so high, I think, when you’re playing in MPL Philippines. It’s no longer just ‘do this, do that,’ there are different factors that you have to consider.”

In the last few seconds after Falcons AP Bren won their ticket to Saudi Arabia at the expense of the Raiders, the boys – true to their humble unpretentious form, went to their opponents’ side of the aisle.

Here, RSG Philippines’ Dylan “Light” Catipon was visibly in tears following the loss. Two-time world champion David “FlapTzy” Canon, who was inducted to the Hall of Legends just before their match, quickly gave Light a friendly hug.

The rest of RSG then regrouped for the customary post-match interview with hosts Mara Aquino and Hans Galeria, to which Light did not hold back his emotions and hugged their coach, Brian “Panda” Lim.

Straight after that, RSG Philippines’ went to the press room, Light still visibly crying after the fact. Members of the press respectfully requested that the boys be spared of the interview, and Coach Panda and his assistant coach Ivan “Dalyot” Hipulan took the questions from the press.

“There are really no flaws in their gameplay, other than in the late game. We were just 1% short, and because of that 1%, we didn’t get the MSC slot. I’m not angry, I’m not sad, I just feel it’s a shame,” coach Panda told reporters about his reaction to his team’s performance, translated from Filipino.

Despite the loss, Coach Panda had nothing but his own words of respect and love for his own boys in blue.

“I was really ready this season. I have the best players I ever could wish for. Our preparation was maayos (good), practice was good, confident kami lahat (we were all confident), sayang lang (it was just a shame), Coach Panda added. 

“I just want to say, my players fought their ass off. They really played well. Commendable. It was really a good fight today.”

Falcons AP Bren will face off in the Grand Finals of MPL Philippines Season 13 later today, at 6:00pm GMT+8.