After a strong start to the Mobile Legends Professional League Season 9 in the Philippines, the underdog teams continue to shine in Week 2.
headline photo courtesy of RSG PH
There is absolutely no denying that MPL PH Season 9 is undergoing a massive change, as the “big” teams continued to struggle in Week 2, while the teams that we would have written off by now, are taking over, creating what is set to be an epic Regular Season if all proceeds in this manner. This weekend saw some fantastic plays, with Renejay of Nexplay EVOS being our favourite to watch as his Franco hooked Blacklist International into another loss.
2021’s Champions struggle
Looking at the standings of MPL PH Season 9 after just two weeks, you would think that things are upside down, considering how 2021 went. The last three spots are currently occupied by tournament winning-champion teams – Blacklist International, Smart Omega Esports, and Bren Esports. While Blacklist and Bren had some rather major roster changes coming into the new season, Omega have just yet to find their stride again, but there is still time.
For Blacklist, it seems as though they are trying to find the perfect way to play without OhMyWise, while Bren’s new roster are just finding their way, albeit very slowly. Omega have the promise of comeback as they did in Season 8, when they had a very rough start before pulling themselves into the playoffs, but it is very odd seeing these three teams at the bottom of the standings, with only Blacklist having points.
Upcoming underdogs
It is getting harder and harder to keep calling any team in MPL PH an underdog anymore, especially with the amount of talent being displayed by these teams weekly. Starting with Nexplay EVOS, who have now taken down Onic PH, Blacklist, and Bren Esports, and are playing some of the most exciting MLBB we have seen. However, even more so than that has been the brilliance of RSG PH, who have yet to drop a game and came out of Week 2 with Emann being the MVP.
At the top of the current standings, we cannot forget ECHO, who showcased another fantastic weekend, winning both their series – taking down TNC and Blacklist. For TNC Pro Team, after a magnificent Week 1, they can take solace in the fact that they only played a single series for Week 2, keeping them in the top 4, for now.
We still have a long way to go before the MPL PH Season 9 Regular Season comes to an end, but right now it seems as though the “big” teams have a lot of work to do if they want to ever challenge the so-called underdogs. Week 3 and 4 should be extremely telling as we make our way to the middle of the season.
