THE ATENEO Blue Eagles were quickly dismantled by the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons, as they went down 0-2 in their opening game at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament. The matches were held earlier this evening at the Quantum Skyview Deck of the Gateway Mall 2 in Quezon City.
Adamson’s Kenneth Aliligay was awarded as Most Valuable Player (MVP) during the first match with a kill-death-assist (KDA) score of 5-1-6 using Hayabusa. For the second game, Aliligay’s teammate, Louies Miguel Romasanta, took MVP honors using his support, Faramis, with a KDA of 1-2-15.
Game One
Both teams quietly started the game as each hero focused on their respective roles and duties. However, Ateneo started to make noise when the first Turtle spawned, as Kyle Calub’s Fredrinn slayed the first objective of the game. Capturing the first Turtle, Ateneo received a 1,500-gold advantage against the Soaring Falcons.
Trying to sustain their momentum, the Blue Eagles set their eyes on the second Turtle, but a miscalculation led to a lost skirmish in the midlane. Placed out of position, the Blue and White were outmatched in the second team fight as Angelo Olvida’s Gatotkaca fell to Adamson’s side. From this moment on, both squads were tied for gold as the next team fight ended up becoming a determining clash.
Trying to gain the advantage, the Blue Eagles invaded their opponent’s jungle along with a kill in midlane, giving them the Turtle yet again. With momentum from their Turtle kill, Ateneo slayed the first Lord of the game, as Olvida utilized Gatotkaca’s ultimate to initiate a team fight, which they ended up winning. With both the Turtle and Lord slain, the Blue and White ended up enjoying a 1,000-gold lead.
While earning gold in the bottom lane, Blue Eagle marksman Joshua Rodas’ Kimmy was quickly slain by Aliligay’s Hayabusa, which became crucial for the San Marcelino-based squad. With Aliligay’s kill, both teams were now tied for gold, setting up an important Lord clash for both teams shortly after.
Seeking to gain the advantage, Blue Eagle Olvida quickly initiated the team fight for the Lord. While busy with the clash, the Blue and White failed to notice that the Soaring Falcon Aliligay swooped in from behind to take down Aaron Sze’s Phoveus. With Sze’s death, Ateneo conceded the second Lord with a 2,400-gold deficit.
With the overwhelming momentum on the side of Adamson, the Blue Eagles ultimately found it difficult to regain their footing, as they lost all their bottom lane turrets. After the loss of their deterrents, the Blue and White failed to get the third Lord, as the Soaring Falcons’ crowd control was deemed simply too much for Ateneo to handle.
As soon as the Lord was utilized, the Blue and White surrendered the game with a kill score of 9-12.
Game Two
With their backs against the wall, the Blue Eagles started off the game slow, having an even matchup until the first Turtle objective. Calub’s Fredrinn quickly secured the Turtle, as the Falcons were unable to contest for the objective. However, the San Marcelino-based unit answered with a jungle invasion, taking down Calub and Angelo Olvida’s Selena.
The Blue Eagles then faltered in another clash before the second Turtle, with Soaring Falcon Errol Amido’s Gatotkaca catching Sze’s Hylos with his Avatar of the Guardian ultimate. The Katipunan-based squad attempted to rally back, but Adamson was quickly saved by Faramis’ Nether Realm ultimate, eventually giving the Soaring Falcons a 3,000-gold advantage.
Despite the huge disadvantage, Calub successfully secured two kills to capture the final Turtle of the match, giving the Blue Eagles a chance to trim Adamson’s lead. This momentum shift continued as Rodas’ Spear of Destruction connected against Gatotkaca and Harith in a top lane skirmish, taking down the Soaring Falcons’ roamer in the process. Adamson’s gold laner tried to escape, but an accurate Abyssal Arrow from Olvida’s Selena stunned the adversary to secure the kill.
With Ateneo trimming Adamson’s gold lead to just 1,500, the Blue Eagles tried to take down Michael Granzo’s Hilda to have an advantage in the Lord clash. However, the Soaring Falcons answered back with an Avatar of the Guardian, knocking down the Hylos of the Blue Eagles. This team fight loss forced Ateneo to give up the first Lord of the match.
As the Lord marched down the bottom lane, the Blue Eagles defended with all their might, massively countering Adamson’s barrage. However, Aliligay’s Hayabusa surprised Olvida’s Selena, taking him down with a Shadow Kill ultimate to force Ateneo to give up their inhibitor turrets.
With Adamson having the map dominance, the Blue Eagles forced their way to get to the second Lord of the game. Despite their adversaries best efforts, Rodas’ Moskov launched a perfectly-placed Spear of Destruction, taking a 2-3 trade for the Blue Eagles. Nera’s Novaria, then stole the Lord away from the Falcons, giving Ateneo the map advantage.
Despite this, the San Marcelino-based squad easily defended the second Lord objective and gained control for the third clash for the Lord. In a bottom lane skirmish with seconds left until the Lord spawned, the Soaring Falcons picked off Olvida and Calub that secured them the objective. Although the Blue Eagles tried their best to defend, Aliligay once again executed a Shadow Kill ultimate in the backline, leading to Ateneo’s defeat.
Speaking on his team’s loss, Joshua Rodas provided insight on how the Blue Eagle squad can improve in their next match. “First, we need to reset and trust one another, especially during the drafting phase. We’re gonna reset and prepare for our next game. I think we are gonna focus more on [Far Eastern University] and our individual strengths,” he said.
Looking to score their first win of the season, the Blue Eagles will face the Tamaraws tomorrow, at 3:30 PM in the same venue.
Hero lineup:
Aaron Sze (EXP Laner) – Phoveus, Hylos
Kyle Calub (Jungler, Team Captain) – Fredrinn, Fredrinn
Zisu Nera (Mid Laner) – Pharsa, Novaria
Joshua Rodas (Gold Laner) – Kimmy, Moskov
Angelo Olvida (Roamer) – Gatotkaca, Selena
Group B Standings (Points Overall):
- AdU Soaring Falcons: 1-0 (3)
- UST Teletigers Esports Club: 1-0 (3)
- FEU Tamaraws: 0-1 (0)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles 0-1 (0)
