MLBB: Minana Evos defeats TNC Pro Team in MPL-PH S13 debut match

The first match of a hotly-contested MPL Philippines Season 13 began with two of the cellar-dwellar teams opening up their regular season campaigns.

Minana EVOS and TNC Pro Team’s refreshed rosters put up a bruising fight, but in the end, Minana EVOS prevailed above the Phoenix Army with a sweet 2-0 victory.

In the first game, TNC Pro Team was off to a hot start with Jaylord “Hate” Gonzales making phenomenal opening picks against MINANA EVOS with his Gusion.

However, a quick lord play from TNC was shut down by Minana EVOS’ defense, followed by a come back play from the boys in purple, secured the victory in the first game, which lasted almost 22 minutes.

By the second game, the momentum had fully shifted to Minana EVOS’ side, with exp laner Jann “Kirk” Gutierrez securing crucial opening kills against TNC in a nearly 16-minute duel.

Kirk, who is playing his first pro season under Minana EVOS, secured a back-to-back MVP performance in both games.

The first game proved the prowess of Minana EVOS in terms of making comebacks.

Assistant Coach Douglas “Imbadeejay” Astibe says, “sanay po kasi kami sa scrims na may mga games talaga kami na nalulugi ng early, pero since may mga hero kami na mga pang-late game talaga, example, si Clint saka si Novaria. Kaya kahit malugi kami early, okay lang sa amin, basta makuha lang yung tamang item, makakalaban na kami.”

[TRANSLATION: We are used to scrims that there are games wherein we are on the downside in the early game. But because we have heroes for late game action such as Clint and Novaria, if we get an early game disadvantage, that’s fine. As long as we get the proper item, we can fight.]

Naser “Dogie” Mollazehi also added that in the first play, they played based on the situation.

“Yung lineup kasi ng TNC noon, for engaging talaga. Meron silang Terizla, meron silang Minotaur, so whoever took the turtle at that time, talagang mage-engage. Sa amin naman, whoever took the turtle, out muna tayo. Kasi Rafaela lang kami. So front, back, front, back lang talaga. Blacklist playstyle,” Dogie said.

[TRANSLATION: The TNC lineup at the time was built for engaging. They had a Terizla, they had a Minotaur, so whoever took the turtle at that time will definitely engage. For us, whoever took the turtle, we roll out because we only had a Rafaela. So it was front, back, front back. Blacklist playstyle.]

Meanwhile, TNC Pro Team head coach Ben “Benthings” Maglaque said that what happened was the result of his players forgetting some steps in the battle to take the Lord. “Siguro po nung game 1, may nakalimutan lang po na step nung may Lord na kami kaya nakabawi yung Minana sa laban na iyon.”

[TRANSLATION: In game 1, we forgot a step when we took the Lord, that’s why Minana quickly rebounded in the match.]

Dean “Raizen” Sumagui said they were not able to join the second Lord, which he believed was the key as to why they lost.

TNC Pro Team will face reigning MPL and M5 World Champions on Sunday, May 17, while Minana EVOS will face off against Blacklist International Saturday, May 16th.