National University took down defending champion University of the East, 2-0, to punch its ticket to the playoffs of the UAAP Season 87 Esports Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Tournament on Wednesday at the Quantum Skyview Deck, Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City.
With the win, the Bulldogs became the first team in Group B to secure a spot in the medal rounds, even as De La Salle University also earned a sweep over the University of the Philippines earlier in the day.
NU, however, had to dig deep against a formidable UE side—clutching a tightly contested Game 1 and pulling off a comeback in Game 2 to preserve its perfect record.
“Dun talaga lumabas yung patience nung team. Though nilason kami ng UE (sa draft) nung Game 1, talagang nakinig sila sa sinabi ko. Tinake advantage naman nila yung advice ko,” said Bulldogs head coach Patrick Balangquit on the team’s resilient effort against the inaugural champions.
“For Game 2 naman, lugi talaga kami. After second turtle kasi nakuha na ng UE yung mapa. Di kasi kami nagdraft ng assassin, more on teamfight-oriented lang yung draft namin. Poke-poke lang tapos kung may mag-overstep lang na kalaban, ipapunish na namin which gave us the win din,” he added.
“Job’s not done for us. Syempre kasi we’re aiming for gold. Yun naman din talaga yung gusto kahit ng ibang teams.”
In Game 1, NU pulled off a brilliant sandwich play following a 16th-minute Lord contest, converting a 3-for-1 exchange that eventually led to taking the opener.
UE appeared poised to force a decider after dominating the early phase of Game 2. But NU’s Kirk Herrero (Kimmy) came alive with a triple kill in the 18th minute, securing an evolved Lord that turned the tide.
Moments later, Josh Paculan (Hylos) activated a well-timed Glorious Pathway, giving Harold Blas (Selena) the opening to land an Abyssal Arrow on reigning MVP John Lawrence Chavez (Lylia), setting up a game-winning base turret siege to seal the sweep.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the other Group B match, La Salle bounced back from an opening-day loss with a commanding 2-0 win over a struggling UP squad.
Former ECHO standout Aaron Lim (Faramis) led the charge in Game 1, finishing with two kills and five assists while conceding only one death in a one-sided affair.
In Game 2, Journey Ong (Baxia) executed a crucial top lane flank midway through the 13th minute, initiating a 4-0 wipeout that sealed the sweep for the Green Archers.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas emerged victorious in the battle of the unbeatens in Group A, sweeping Adamson University, 2-0, to also lock in a semifinal berth.
Juliann Ortega exploded in Game 1 with a dominant showing on Fanny, registering a 9-1-4 KDA as UST cruised to a 1-0 lead.
Benjamin Lukban (Granger) then punctuated UST’s strong showing in Game 2, tallying four kills during a 10th-minute 5-for-2 skirmish that closed out the match for the Teletigers.
“It’s a happy feeling pero the credit goes to my team and the players. Kasi sila talaga yung naghirap dun. They want it. They’re hungry. Kaya gutom rin ako para sa kanila,” said Teletigers head coach Hermogenes Arayata IV.
“We were really focused on a lot of the macro and micro gameplay. What happened good or great for us is we were able to play what we wanted to play.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Far Eastern University also entered the win column in Group A, sweeping Ateneo de Manila University, 2-0, to keep its playoff hopes alive.
Dashmielle Farin starred for the Tamaraws, delivering a clean 5-0-3 KDA on Suyou in Game 1. He followed it up with another flawless performance in Game 2, this time on X-Borg, ending with three kills, nine assists, and no deaths.
FEU and Adamson are set to clash tomorrow for the last semifinal ticket in Group A.
All matches are streamed live on the Pilipinas Live app and the UAAP Varsity Channel.
