With a chance to play RRQ Hoshi in the upper bracket finals, RSG PH gave Malaysian team Orange Esports a run for their money, sweeping them 3-0

RSG’s strategic teamfights and Game 2’s comeback victory were the series’ defining moments.

Orange dropped to the bottom bracket and will face Omega Esports, while RSG advances to the next round to take on RRQ Hoshi.

Blacklist International’s earliest forms

RSG PH’s Game 1 success was a classic case of them dissecting their adversaries by causing them to pop their abilities in unfavorable moments, leading to their counterattack.

It sounds like you? That’s because their strategy contained hints of the best Blacklist International had to offer.

As soon as the game started, the Raiders took control, opening up room for Arvie “Aqua” Antonio and Eman “EMANN” Sangco to put the game away with his hook shots.

However, Orange Esports had a strategy, as their Xavier and Atlas combination might have been the winning strategy against the Filipino team, but RSG correctly predicted their setup.

Although Orange was able to battle till their last breath in the 15th minute, RSG’s methodical playstyle simply outmatched them. This was due to the hook shots on Aimin “Minn” Anuar, which prevented Atlas from using his abilities.

Light becomes clutch in Game 2

Orange Esports’ choice of Fanny in Game 2 let them control the early going. Combining his mobility with the damage from Luk “Valenz” Yip’s Moskov, the Malaysian squad was able to push the Filipino champs to the limit. The two of them also made it difficult for EMANN to engage his Beatrix.

Orange gained momentum to win the game when RSG lost all of their turrets. However, Light’s heroics throughout the latter moments of the game reversed the tide.

In the 12th minute, his Ruby created the move that brought a glimmer of hope to the Filipino squad. And it kept on all the way to the conclusion, most notably in the 24th minute onwards when his sets overpowered the opponents, contributing to RSG’s 2-0 edge.

In Game 3, Orange falters.

After suffering from a heartbreaking Game 2 setback, Orange tried their best to preserve their composure and rescue their upper bracket chances.

But in the end, they were left in shambles as RSG’s Chou and Karrie picks proved the difference maker in this game.

RSG had plenty of room to interact thanks to Light’s Chou putting up plays. Combined with the Karrie choice, Orange couldn’t counter engage as EMANN’s Karrie dissolved their tanky lineup, overwhelming the Malaysian squad.