Today saw the start of the MPL PH Season 8 playoffs, with two teams already seeing their chances of becoming champions come to an end.
Only six teams remained as we went into the Mobile Legends Professional League Season 8 playoffs for the Philippines, but once Day 1 was done, only four would remain, with two elimination series to open things up. Nexplay EVOS and RSG PH would be the first two teams on the Land of Dawn, before Smart Omega Esports take on Echo, with all four teams looking to progress through into the next round to meet either Onic PH or Blacklist International respectively.
Nexplay EVOS versus 
RSG Philippines
On one side, there were the newcomers to the MPL PH, who were showing that they were a team to be feared, while on the other, where a team that pulled off an amazing Regular Season, causing some big upsets and finishing in third place in the standings. NXPE were quick to get off the mark in game 1, as RSG stuck with a very standard draft, which had clear holes – especially when dealing with Yawi’s Jawhead.
With a best-of-five, the teams were sure to throw everything at one another, and RSG were on point in game 2, as they controlled the map perfectly. Claiming four Turtle kills in the early period, which converted into the first Lord too, the team were able to get themselves a sizable lead. While a Luminous Lord was also claimed by RSG, NXPE were never about to give up, and with an amazing defense, Hesa’s Natan opened the game with a swift double kill. From then on, NXPE made it look easy as they took a second game victory.
Game three was absolutely crazy for both teams, as it was RSG who had the lead for a significant portion of the game. Once again, they managed to open up the NXPE base up, but, once again, NXPE were able to defend. NXPE were meticulous in their defense, managing to take the Lord away from their opponents and keep their hopes alive. Unfortunately for RSG, they were also being completely split across the map and eventually succumbed to the superior NXPE in a 3-0 sweep.
Smart Omega Esports versus 
ECHO
Two teams under a new name that we all know very well, in one corner it was the MSC 2021 victors, Smart Omega, against their ex-Aura PH opponents, Echo. To open the series, Omega played with perfection, carving their way through objectives and their opponents too. With Raizen showing off his Hayabusa skills, Omega were off to a blistering start, taking the lead in only 12-minutes. However, Echo finally came out to play in Game two, matching their opponents blow-for-blow, but managing to find the win after the dust had settled.
There was something special in the minds of Omega today, as they looked to speed up everything, taking another game in only 12-minutes for Game 3. Once again, it was a magnificent display of talent from Raizen’s Hayabusa, as he went 9/0/3 to pull his team to match-point.
For the next game, we saw some huge picks from each team. But, after we saw some amazing quick and decisive decisions from Omega, it seemed as though there was no hope for Echo. Although they looked to have the game in the bag for a short time, Echo failed to capitalise on a few pickoffs, leaving their base open to Lord, as Omega crushed them 3-1.
With Day one of the MPL PH Season 8 Playoffs now over, we unfortunately wave goodbye to RSG PH and Echo. Tomorrow we will see the teams return for Day 2, with Onic PH taking on NXPE, while Blacklist International goes up against Smart Omega Esports, a series which we have all been waiting for. Luckily for the four remaining teams, tomorrow will not see eliminations, but a loss will send them back into the elimination territory, as we hunt for the MPL PH Season 8 champion.
