After closing the regular season with three straight setbacks, ECHO will be entering the Mobile Legends Professional League Philippines Season 12 Playoffs with utmost caution.
ECHO coach Harold “Tictac” Reyes said they can’t afford to be complacent after seeing their attempt at a historic sweep get spoiled by a string of frustrating results.
On the verge of making history after a flawless 11-0 run, ECHO met unexpected resistance from RSG PH en route to a 0-2 loss on Week 5 of the tournament.
Little did ECHO know that losing to RSG PH would be the start of their losing skid. In Week 6, ECHO was stunned by Minana Evos with another sweep before falling short to AP Bren with a 1-2 score.
Tictac said opposing teams have probably learned their style of play.
“Our three-game losing streak was very concerning because it only means that other teams are starting to read us,” Tictac told Daily Tribune, admitting that their recent performance was a wake-up call for them to do better entering the crucial stretch.
“What is good about it though was that it happened in the regular season so we can adjust plenty in the Playoffs.”
Despite losing three matches in a row, ECHO ended the regular season as the top seed having compiled an 11-3 record with 30 points which has a significant six-point difference with No. 2 seed AP Bren at 24 points.
ECHO was still the first team to qualify for the Playoffs. In fact, its Playoffs slot was confirmed with more than a week left in the regular season.
But more importantly, they secured an upper bracket slot which takes them out of do-or-die matches at the start of the Playoffs.
Composed of team captain Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera, M2 World Championship Most Valuable Player Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, M4 World Championship MVP Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales, Sanford Vinuya, Alston “Sanji” Placibo and Jaypee dela Cruz, Tictac said that the team is reviewing all necessary game plans for the Playoffs including the substitution of players.
“We are very focused on our preparations heading into the Playoffs,” Tictac said.
“We are analyzing our strengths and weaknesses, and thinking what we need to adjust. All players on our roster are ready to play whenever we tap them. We shall see who is playing in the Playoffs.”
